Rwandan champions APR FC have been confirmed as country’s sole representatives at the forthcoming CECAFA Kagame Cup 2024, which will take place in Tanzania and Zanzibar from July 6-22.
ALSO READ: CECAFA Kagame Cup: 16 clubs confirmed for 2024 edition
CECAFA announced the official list of 16 participating teams on Tuesday, June 10, via its official website.
Three teams namely DR Congo’s TP Mazembe, Nyasa Big Bullets from Malawi, and Zambia’s Red Arrows FC, were invited to take part in the two-week tournament, joining 13 other teams representing their respective countries in the CECAFA Zone.
Originally scheduled from July 20 to August 4 in Tanzania, the tournament was rescheduled to earlier dates to accommodate the busy CAF calendar and to ensure that it concludes before the 2024/2025 CAF Club competitions start.
"This competition will help our teams in the CECAFA Zone to prepare better in the pre-season ahead of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, which start in August,” said CECAFA Executive Director John Auka Gecheo.
"Having top sides from DR Congo, Malawi, and Zambia will also spice up our club competition and give our teams a real test,” he added.
APR FC have resumed training in preparation for both the CECAFA Kagame Cup and the CAF Champions League preliminary round in August.
The club is also gearing up for the new Primus National League season, which starts around the same time.
The army side could also announce a new head coach at any time, as a replacement for French coach Thierry Froger who left the club at the end of the Primus National League campaign after his contract expired.
Times Sport understands that Serbian coach Darko Nović, who previously coached Algerian side ES Setif, US Monastir and Libyan national team, has agreed terms to take charge of the club.
Full list of teams confirmed for CECAFA Kagame Cup 2024:
Vital ‘O (Burundi), El Merreikh, Al Hilal, Hai El Wadi (all from Sudan), Young Africans SC, Simba SC, Azam FC, Coastal Union FC ( all fromTanzania), Gor Mahia FC (Kenya), SC Villa (Uganda), JKU SC (Zanzibar), El Merreikh FC-Bentiu (South Sudan), APR FC (Rwanda), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Nyasa Big Bullets (Malawi) and Red Arrows FC (Zambia).