CECAFA: Uganda and Tanzania to host regional tournaments

Harambee Starlets celebrate their victory during Olympic Qualifiers match against Black Queens of Ghana at Kasarani on Tuesday, Oct 8, 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) will wind up the 2019 season with three activities.

While the flagship Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup will be making a return to Uganda after a seven-year hiatus, Tanzania will be hosting next month’s (November 14-23) Senior Women’s Challenge Cup.

Harambee Starlets have been drawn in Group B alongside Uganda, Ethiopia and Djibouti, while champions Tanzania are in Group A together with Burundi, Zanzibar and South Sudan.  

The Senior Challenge Cup which failed to take place last year due to lack of funds was last held in 2017 in Kenya with hosts Harambee Stars beating Zanzibar Heroes 3-2 on post-match penalties in the final after a 2-2 in the extra time.

Eleven member states have already confirmed their participation in the oldest tournament in the continent, which is slated for December 1-19 in Kampala. They include hosts and record winners Uganda (14 titles), champions Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Somali, Djibouti, Zanzibar, Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan and Ethiopia.

Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye said three unnamed guest teams are still on stand-by for the men’s tournament that will run concurrently with the Fifa-funded U17 Women Challenge Cup in Uganda.

“We have applications from three countries who want to participate as guests and we shall look at the best to invite. The draw and fixtures will be released on Nov 1,” said Musonye.

“We wish to thank our members who have accepted to host these events.”