TANZANIA has stepped up preparations to host a successful 34th Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup due in Dar es Salaam from November 21-December 5, 2010.

The Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye said recently, "Everything is on track in terms of hosting a successful event,”

"After Eritrea hosting a successful U-20 tournament, focus has now shifted to Tanzania to wind up any unfinished business,” Musonye said.

Cecafa is already in the hunt for sponsors to support the two-week competition which pits national teams from 11-member states.

‘It’s true we have talked to some sponsors but we are yet to reach an agreement,” added Musonye.
Kenya hosted last year’s event where Uganda Cranes were crowned champions after a 2-0 win over a youthful Amavubi side.

The Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup is the oldest football tournament in Africa. It includes national teams from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Zanzibar, Somalia, Rwanda, Burundi and Djibouti.

In 2005 and 2006, the tournament was sponsored by Ethiopian/Saudi businessman Sheikh Mohammed Al Amoudi, and was dubbed the Al Amoudi Senior Challenge Cup.

It is the successor tournament of the Gossage Cup, held 37 times from 1926 until 1966, and the East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup, held 7 times between 1965 and 1971.

Uganda Cranes has won the regional title 11 times, followed by Kenya with five titles. Rwanda has won it once in 1999.

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