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Young Africans battle Simba SC in biggest League derby in CECAFA Zone

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All roads will lead to the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium today Saturday to witness the Kariakoo derby in the NBC Tanzania Premier League between arch-rivals Young Africans SC and Simba SC.

It is also the biggest League derby in the CECAFA Zone which will pit the two teams in the Zone that reached the quarter final stage of the 2023/2024 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

After bowing out at the quarter final stage of TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, the two sides will be all out to try and prove a point to send a strong message to their fans. Of course Young Africans SC go into the match with a lot of confidence with a 4 point league on the log ahead of Azam FC who have played two matches more, while Simba SC have 46 points from 20 matches.

Miguel Gamondi, the Young Africans SC head coach said that although it is a derby, it is like any other game. ” We have prepared well and the players are very motivated to come out and win the match. Yes we respect our opponents and what happened before will not matter in the match on Saturday, ” said Gamondi.

In their last meeting i the first leg of the League last November, Young Africans brushed a side their rivals 5-1 in a match played at the same Stadium.

But Simba SC who bowed out of the CRDB Bank Confederation Cup few days ago are expected to come all out to try and prove a point. Selemani Matola, the Simba SC assistant coach said during an interview that although they know their opponents are enjoying good form, they are well prepared for the match.

” We are well prepared and remember this is a derby which makes it a very strong match, ” added Matola. The Simba SC captain Shomari Kapombe also summed it up saying they have prepared well and will be all out targeting three points from that match.

While Simba SC will look to the experience of Burundian international Saidi Ntibazonkiza and Clatous Chama for the goals, Young Africans Sc will hope that their midfielder Stephane Aziz Ki who has netted 14 goals in the League now finds his scoring touch.

Referee Ahmed Arajiga is expected to take charge of the match which is expected to attract over 40,000 spectators from within Tanzania and from other countries.

Besides the Tanzanian Kariakoo derby, the other big derbies in the CECAFA Zone include Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards in Kenya, and Al Merriekh and Al Hilal in Sudan.

CHAN QUALIFIERS

Rwanda qualify for last stage of CHAN 2025 qualifiers

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The Amavubi of Rwanda are through to the last phase of the TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 qualifiers.

After losing the first leg 1-0 to Djibouti few days ago, Rwanda returned a changed side to defeat the same side 3-1 in the return leg played at the Amahoro Stadium on Thursday in Kigali.

Cheered on by the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, the Amavubi took an early lead through Olivier Dushimimana after 10 minutes.

The striker made no mistake when he capitalized on Kevin Muhire’s cross to place the ball past Djibouti’s goalkeeper Sulait Luyima. Mahad Abdi had his shot blocked later after 19 minutes by Rwanda’s goalkeeper.

Dushimimana was at it again netting his second goal of the day after 24 minutes. After recess, the Djibouti team tried to settle down and close gaps on the pitch. But Arsene Tuyisenge made it 3-0 for the hosts at the stroke of full time.

Frank Spittler, the Rwanda coach said his players had responded well after losing the first leg. “I am happy about the way the players expressed themselves today and we need to keep working hard because there is another stage of the qualifiers,” added Spittler.

Rwanda who qualified on a 3-1 goal aggregate will now wait to gave the winner between Kenya and South Sudan in the final phase of the qualifiers.

On Sunday Tanzania will host Sudan in Dar es Salaam, while Kenya face South Sudan in Nairobi. Sudan stopped Tanzania 1-0, while South Sudan brushed aside Kenya 2-0 in the first leg.

The CECAFA Zone will be represented by four teams when the CHAN 2025 tournament takes place in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania in February 2025.

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CHAN QUALIFIERS

Djibouti shock Rwanda in CHAN 2025 qualifiers

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Six teams from the CECAFA Zone were on Sunday engaged in the first preliminary round of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 qualifiers.

Djibouti who hosted the first leg at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali shocked Rwanda 1-0 with the lone goal scored by Gabriel Ddadzie.

The Djibouti team hosted the first leg away from home because they do not have a Stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA.

In Juba, hosts South Sudan defeated Kenya 2-0 in a match played at the Juba National Stadium. After a goalless first half, the South Sudan intensified their search for goals and scored through Ezibon Malish five minutes after restart, and Yohanna Paulino after 68 minutes.

“We are very happy to win the first leg. Now we must prepare better for the return leg to be played in Kampala, “ said South Sudan’s Coach Nicolas Dupius.

Sudan who hosted Tanzania at the National Stadium in Nouakchott, Mauritania also picked a slim 1-0 victory. Andel Raman scored the goal after 23 minutes. Eritrea and Ethiopia are also set to clash on October 31st in a match to be played in Juba, South Sudan.

The return legs will be played between November 1-3, 2024, while second round matches take centre stage between December 20-22 for the first round, and the return legs December 25-27, 2024.

The CHAN  2025 will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania between February 1-28th, 2025.

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NEWS

Dr. Motsepe deserves to be re-elected CAF President – Wallace Karia

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The President of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Wallace Karia has made it clear that Dr. Patrice Motsepe deserves to be re-elected as President of the African Football body, CAF.

Karia, also President of the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) says that he was one of the Presidents who convinced Motsepe to seek-re-election.

“We have convinced Motsepe to stand again for re-election because he deserves it basing on his contribution towards Football development in Africa and CECAFA,” says Karia.

On Friday CAF confirmed that Dr. Motsepe will contest the CAF Presidential Elections next year. “Following requests from numerous CAF Member Association Presidents, Zonal Union Presidents and key stakeholders, the CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe has finally agreed to stand as a candidate at the CAF Presidential Elections scheduled for March 2025,” said the communication.

Dr. Motsepe assumed the CAF presidency on 12th, March 2021, succeeding Ahmad Ahmad of Madagascar. He has been widely acknowledged for his positive influence on CAF’s governance and reputation.

His administration has emphasised transparency, accountability, and robust governance reforms. During his time as President of CAF, the CAF Women’s Champions League has also been introduced, and there have also been increases in cash prizes across all tournaments.

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CHAN QUALIFIERS

Somalia pull out of CHAN 2025 qualifiers

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Somalia has pulled out of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) preliminary round qualifiers that kick-off this weekend.

Yusuf Ahmed, the General Secretary of the Somalia Football Federation (SFF) confirmed to Cecafaonline.com that they will not be able to field a team. “We decided to withdraw because of financial challenges,” explained Ahmed.

Burundi who were meant to face Somalia in the first round of the preliminary stage now earn a walkover where they will face Uganda in the final phase.

Meanwhile, in the other CHAN 2025 qualifiers for the teams in the CECAFA Zone Sudan will host Tanzania in a first leg match to be played on October 27th, 2024 in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The same day South Sudan will play host to Kenya at the Juba National Stadium.

Djibouti who donot have a stadium cleared by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will also host the first leg against Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Sunday.

The return legs will be played between November 1-3, 2024, while second round matches take centre stage between December 20-22 for the first round, and the return legs December 25-27, 2024.

The tournament will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania between February 1-28th, 2025. CECAFA will have four teams play in the CHAN 2024, while all the other Zones COSAFA, WAFU A, WAFU B, UNAF and UNIFFAC will have three teams each.

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