CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup set for November

The 38th edition of the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup will run from November 21-6 December in Addis Ababa-Ethiopia, according to the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA). The two week annual tournament will resume this year after failing to take place in 2014 following Ethiopia’s last minute withdrawal as the hosts citing lack of funds to organise the tournament. “Ethiopia is making all the necessary preparations for the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup championship. We expect it to kick off on 21st November 2015,” CECAFA Secretary General Nicholas Musonye said. Kenya is the defending champions having won the tournament in 2013 when they defeated Sudan 2-0 in Kenya. Amavubi, which has been a regular participant in the annual tournament, has won the tourney just once in 1999 when it was held in Rwanda. Uganda is the record winners of the tournament having won it 13 times. CECAFA comprises of 11 teams from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Somalia, Rwanda, Djibouti, Zanzibar, Sudan, Eritrea and Ethiopia. However, the secretariat expects the confirmation of FIFA’s newest member, South Sudan to make it 12 teams with a possible appearance of a guest team. The tournament will be held at a time when Rwanda is preparing to host the 2016 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) slated for January 16 to February 7 and will give Amavubi stars Coach Johnny Mckinstry an opportunity to assess the continental championship. Currently Amavubi stars are in Morocco for a-two week camp in preparation for the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Libya next month and will play two friendly games against Burkina Faso and Tunisia U-23 teams on Friday and Sunday respectively.

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CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup set for November