Group 5 or East Zone

Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti,

Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya,

Somalia, Sudan and Tanzania

Rwanda has been drawn to play fellow Cecafa nations in Group five of the African Championship of Nations tournament.

The tournament was recently launched by the continental football governing body, the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The Amavubi Stars’ team will compete in Group five or East Zone, alongside Uganda, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Tanzania in the competition set to start in 2008.

Only players who feature in their domestic leagues will be eligible to participate.

One team will emerge from each Zone to join the hosts in the Championship to be staged once every two years, alternating with the African Cup of Nations.

The qualifying phase will take place every even year and the final every odd year.

Caf President Issa Hayatou said recently that the new championships would give locally based players an opportunity to exhibit their talent.

Ferwafa Chief Executive Officer, Jules Kalisa welcomed the new event as a useful avenue for players to gain international exposure.

"This is an opportunity to give our local players the chance of show casing their talent and ability,” Kalisa said.

The new tournament will bring about competition in the local league as players fight for the few places on the national team.

This will improve football at the grassroots and increase consistency.

Expatriate players, regardless of where they play, even in Africa, cannot be qualified to take part in this new African Championship.

Eight countries from the six Caf zones will take part in the first edition of the finals in 2009.

Ends