Cecafa ready to ‘operate’ without Kenya

CECAFA secretariat has confirmed that “no one will beg Kenya” to participate in this year’s CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup set to be hosted in Kampala from November 27 to December 11.Last week, Kenya threatened to give the tourney a blackout and instead host a four nation tournament to run concurrently after they were stripped off hosting rights and handed to Uganda, who were ready for meet requirements of hosting the two-week long tournament.A source in the Kenyan federation privy to the happenings intimated remedial measures that Football Kenya Federation (FKF) seek to put in place.“We had a fruitful meeting with the sponsors of this year’s tournament but if Cecafa remain adamant Kenya will instead host a four-nation tournament at the same time and give Cecafa a wide berth,” the source told SuperSport.com.Probed further if the action will not lead to disharmony with the regional body, the source responded in the affirmative, “what do we do and yet Musonye has decided to make his own decisions to bar us from hosting the tournament”. “We have to come up with plan B to execute if they refuse to listen to us”.When contacted yesterday, Cecafa Secretary General Nicholas Musonye told Times Sport on his way to Kampala, “If Kenya wants to pull out of the Challenge Cup, let them (go). They have no genuine reason to pull out and no one will beg them to stay”.“We want discipline and order in the region and no one will regret for their simple minded mistakes,” added Musonye.Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has confirmed its position to host the tournament.FUFA Chief Executive Officer Edgar Watson said they had finalised all the consultations and a confirmation letter had already been sent to the regional secretariat.CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup is sponsored by the East African Breweries Limited (EABL) through the Tusker brand.Uganda last hosted this championship in 2008 when they edged Kenya 1-0 in the final. The Uganda Cranes are the defending champions after beating Amavubi in the final played in Dar es Salaam.

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Cecafa ready to ‘operate’ without Kenya