Zambia, Malawi to take part in Cecafa tourney
Football
By
-ERICK OCHIENG’
| Oct 09, 2013
By ERICK OCHIENG’
|
|
| FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya (left) and Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye. |
Former African giants Chipololo of Zambia and Flames of Malawi have confirmed their participation in next month’s Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) Senior Challenge Cup.
Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Sam Nyamweya told FeverPitch that they have received official communication from the former champions and Malawi who will be participating in the regional tournament as guest teams.
“I’m glad all the 12 Cecafa member countries have confirmed participation and the additional confirmation by the guest countries is such a great boost for us,” said Musonye in Nairobi yesterday.
Musonye also noted that Cecafa was happy with Eritrea confirming their attendance in the regional tournament despite the previous fears that the horn of African nation would miss.
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Cecafa and FKF have included the historic Machakos’s Kenyatta Stadium among the venues that will host the tournament this year.
“Apart from Kisumu, Mumias, Nakuru and Nairobi, Machakos will be the other venue where the tournament will be hosted and we have given out the green light for that,” said Nyamweya.
Machakos County Governor Alfred Mutua has assured Cecafa and FKF that Kenyatta Stadium, that is currently under renovation, will be ready in three weeks.
Nyamweya and Musonye explained that the Government has shown great commitment to hosting the football extravaganza which coincides with the Kenya@50 Jubilee Celebrations. At the same time, the Fifa 2014 World Cup trophy will be in the country.
While urging the corporate world to support Cecafa, Musonye said: “With proper sponsorship we can invite two more guest teams to increase the number of participating teams to 16.”
Nyamweya said that Kenya being a key stakeholder in African football, successful hosting of Cecafa will be a clear indication of greater things ahead.
FKF and Cecafa are also preparing a one-day conference with international bodies to promote peace with emphasis on war ravaged Somalia.
According to Nyamweya, CAF President Issa Hayatou will grace the tournament.