Zambia’s Red Arrows book last ticket to CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup 2024 semis

Guest side Red Arrows FC have booked the last ticket to the semi-final stage at the on-going CECAFA Dar Port Cup 2024.

The Zambia Premier League reigning champions dispatched ASAS Djibouti Telecom 1-0 in a Group B match played at the KMC Stadium on Tuesday in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

Red Arrows needed to register a win to be able to finish with six points and qualify as the best second placed team ahead of Uganda’s SC Villa who finished with 5 points.

Anthony Shipanuka netted Red Arrows only goal after 21 minutes against a battle hardened Djibouti team.

Chisi Mbewe, the Red Arrows coach praised his team for making it to the semi-finals. “We have managed to win two matches in the group and heavily lost one. But the team remains focused and now we plan for the knock out stage,” added Mbewe.

The Red Arrows started their campaign with a 1-0 win against Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC, but suffered a 5-0 humiliation to Sudan’s giants Al Hilal.

In another match played Al Hilal defeated Gor Mahia 2-0 to keep their winning record in the regional tournament. After a goalless first half, the Sudan giants returned to score through Salah Eldin Adil and in-form striker Mohamed Abdelrhman Yousif.

Florent Ibenge, the Al Hilal coach said despite some injuries to his players, he is happy they have won all the three matches and made it to the semi-final. “We shall prepare well for the knock out round because it calls for planning well,” added Ibenge.

Rwanda’s APR will now face Al Hilal at the semi-final stage, while Hay Al Wadi FC battle Red Arrows. All semi-finals matches will be played on Friday. The final will be played on Sunday.

The regional tournament is sponsored by the Sudan Football Association (SFA), Dar Port through the Tanzania Ports Authority, Azam TV and the Rwanda President Paul Kagame. The champions will pocket US$30,000, the runner-up US$20,000, and the third placed US$10,000.