CECAFA
The Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) is the regional governing body for association football in East and Central Africa, comprising an association of 12 football-playing nations in the region and serving as the oldest sub-regional football organization on the continent.[1][2] CECAFA traces its roots to the Gossage Cup, an annual tournament held 37 times from 1926 to 1966 among East African teams, sponsored by the British soap manufacturer William Gossage and Sons Ltd., which laid the foundation for organized regional football competitions.[1][3] This was followed by the East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup, contested five times from 1967 to 1971, which directly preceded CECAFA's formal establishment in 1973 as an affiliate of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).[1][4] The organization's headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, at the FIFA Goal Project facility in Kasarani.[1] The 12 member associations of CECAFA are Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zanzibar (the latter as a semi-autonomous entity).[1] These nations participate in CECAFA's flagship events, including the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup (also known as the CECAFA Cup), established in 1973 and recognized as Africa's oldest international football tournament for senior national teams, as well as youth championships such as the U-20, U-17, and U-15 tournaments that serve as qualifiers for CAF and FIFA events.[1][4] Additionally, CECAFA organizes the Kagame Interclub Cup, a premier club competition founded in 1974 and sponsored by Rwanda's President Paul Kagame since 2002, featuring teams from across the region.[5][6] Through these initiatives, CECAFA promotes football development, talent identification, and regional integration, for example, a 2012 sponsorship deal worth US$450,000 from East African Breweries for the Tusker Challenge Cup, which supported its operations at the time.[1]History
Origins and early tournaments
The Gossage Cup, widely regarded as the oldest international football tournament in Africa, was established in 1926 during the British colonial era in East Africa.[4][3] It was initiated by colonial football associations to promote the sport among the territories, beginning as an annual invitation-based competition featuring representative teams from Kenya and Uganda.[4][7] Sponsored by the British soap manufacturer William Gossage and Sons Ltd., which donated the trophy in response to a request from the Kenya Football Association, the event symbolized early efforts to build regional sporting ties under colonial administration.[3] The inaugural Gossage Cup took place in Nairobi, Kenya, where the host nation secured victory over Uganda with a 2–1 win in the replay following a 1–1 draw in the first leg on May 1, 1926.[4][8] Initially contested in a knockout format between just two teams, the tournament gradually expanded post-World War II, incorporating Tanganyika in 1945 to reach three participants and Zanzibar in 1949, thereby increasing involvement to four teams.[4][7] Venues rotated across the region, including Nairobi, Kampala, Dar es Salaam, and Zanzibar, with the format shifting to round-robin in later years to accommodate the growing participation.[4] Over its 37 editions from 1926 to 1966, the Gossage Cup played a pivotal role in nurturing football talent and rivalries, particularly as Uganda dominated with 22 titles, ahead of Kenya's 12 and Tanganyika/Tanzania's 5.[4] In the post-independence era, the competition transitioned to the East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup in 1967, adapting to the newly sovereign nations while expanding its scope to reflect broader regional integration.[4][7] Retaining the four core teams—Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zanzibar—the tournament adopted a round-robin group stage format and continued annual hosting, though participation remained stable at four rather than further expanding immediately.[4] Uganda asserted clear dominance across the five editions from 1967 to 1971, capturing three championships (1968, 1969, and 1970), while Kenya won the remaining two (1967 and 1971).[4] These precursor tournaments were instrumental in fostering football infrastructure, player development, and cross-border competition in East and Central Africa before the formal creation of a governing confederation in 1973.[4][7]Formation and modern development
The Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) was officially established in 1973 as a sub-regional governing body affiliated with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), succeeding earlier informal tournaments like the East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup. The founding members comprised Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, Sudan, and associate participant Zanzibar, aiming to organize and develop football across East and Central Africa.[4] In the 1980s and 1990s, CECAFA expanded its membership to incorporate nations impacted by regional conflicts, including Rwanda and Burundi in the 1980s, followed by Djibouti and Eritrea in 1994. This growth was hampered by interruptions from wars and instability, particularly in Somalia and Sudan, resulting in no tournaments during much of the 1990s. The organization revived in the 2000s with renewed hosting efforts, such as Uganda's 2000 edition, and underwent a formal name change to its current title while introducing sponsorships to stabilize operations.[4] Post-2010, CECAFA intensified integration of women's and youth programs, launching dedicated tournaments like the Women's Challenge Cup and age-group events for U-15, U-17, and U-20 teams to foster grassroots development. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated challenges, suspending the Senior Challenge Cup from 2020 to 2024, though youth and club competitions such as the U-20 Championship (e.g., 2024 edition in Tanzania) and Kagame Interclub Cup continued annually.[4] At the 2025 Ordinary General Assembly in Juba, South Sudan, CECAFA approved resumption of the Senior Challenge Cup after the hiatus, alongside an expanded calendar of seven events. However, the 2025 edition was cancelled in June due to inadequate preparation time, extending the suspension as of November 2025.[9][10][11][12]Governance and Organization
Structure and leadership
CECAFA operates under an organizational framework governed by its statutes, which align with those of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for zonal unions. The primary decision-making body is the Executive Committee, composed of representatives from its member associations, responsible for strategic oversight, policy formulation, and implementation of football development initiatives in the East and Central Africa region. The presidency is elected for a four-year term, with eligibility limited to presidents of national football associations within the zone, ensuring rotational leadership among members.[13][14] Sub-committees support the Executive Committee in specialized areas, including competitions to organize tournaments and events, finance to manage budgetary allocations, and development to oversee youth, women's, and infrastructure programs. These bodies facilitate targeted decision-making, drawing on expertise from member nations to address regional challenges such as talent identification and governance standards. The organization's headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, serving as the administrative hub for operations and coordination.[15][16] As of November 2025, the current leadership includes Acting President Alexandre Muyenge from Burundi, who assumed the role in September 2025 following a handover from previous acting president Augustino Maduot Parek of South Sudan. Muyenge, also President of the Burundi Football Federation, leads the Executive Committee alongside Vice President Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam from Eritrea. The Acting Executive Director is Jean Sseninde from Uganda, overseeing day-to-day administration. Other key committee members include Doris Petra (Kenya), Ali Abdi Mohamed (Somalia), and the aforementioned Muyenge and Andemariam, representing diverse member interests.[17][18][19] Decision-making processes are formalized through Annual General Assemblies, where member associations convene to approve calendars, budgets, and amendments to regulations. For instance, the January 2025 non-elective General Assembly held in Juba, South Sudan, ratified the 2025 competition schedule and enhanced the Executive Committee's authority over football operations per updates to Article 51 of the general regulations. CECAFA's budget primarily derives from CAF development grants, tournament revenues, and sponsorship partnerships, enabling sustained regional activities.[20][21]Role within CAF
CECAFA serves as one of the six zonal unions under the Confederation of African Football (CAF), specifically overseeing football development in East and Central Africa across its 11 member associations, including Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.[22] As a zonal body, CECAFA's primary duties include organizing regional qualifiers for major CAF tournaments, such as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, ensuring fair representation and progression of teams to continental levels.[16] This role aligns directly with CAF statutes, which designate CECAFA as the administrative entity for the Central-East zone, promoting standardized governance and competition structures across the region.[14] In its contributions to CAF, CECAFA facilitates the hosting of key events, such as the 2025 CAF Women's Champions League zonal qualifiers in Nairobi, Kenya, from September 4 to 16, which determine the region's representative for the continental finals.[23] It also secures representation on CAF platforms, including allocated slots for member clubs in interclub competitions like the 2025/26 CAF Champions League, where two teams from the zone (Young Africans SC and Al-Hilal SC) advanced to the group stage. CECAFA's involvement extends to national team qualifications, exemplified by Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda securing spots for the 2025 AFCON through zonal and continental pathways.[24] CECAFA engages in collaborative initiatives with other CAF zones, notably providing joint support alongside COSAFA for candidate bids to the FIFA Council in February 2025, fostering regional solidarity in global football governance.[25] Additionally, it benefits from CAF-funded development programs, such as the CAF IMPACT initiative, which provides resources up to $1.6 million per association over four years for infrastructure upgrades, youth competitions, and financial governance enhancements in member nations.[26] These efforts underscore CECAFA's integral position in advancing CAF's broader objectives for sustainable football growth across Africa.Member Associations
Full members
The full members of CECAFA consist of 11 sovereign national football associations from the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region, all recognized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the majority by FIFA as well, granting them complete voting rights in CECAFA's general assemblies and executive decisions.[2][7] Full membership requires an association to represent a sovereign state and maintain active affiliation with both CAF and FIFA, ensuring standardized governance and eligibility for regional competitions. These members collectively span diverse geographical areas, promoting football development across East and Central Africa since CECAFA's founding in 1973.[9] The founding members in 1973 included Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Somalia, establishing the organization's core structure in Nairobi, Kenya, where the headquarters remain today.[17] Kenya's Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has played a pivotal role as the host of CECAFA's administrative base, facilitating regional coordination and development initiatives.[9] Uganda's Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has contributed significantly through leadership in assemblies and hosting multiple regional events, underscoring its historical prominence within the bloc.[17] Sudan joined in 1975 via the Sudan Football Association (SFA), bringing Central African representation and early involvement in cross-regional ties.[2] Somalia's Somali Football Federation (SFF) also integrated during the 1970s, enhancing Horn of Africa coverage despite periodic challenges from instability.[2] Rwanda became a member in 1995 through the Fédération Rwandaise de Football Association (FERWAFA), bolstering Great Lakes participation post-independence.[2] In the 1990s, Djibouti joined via the Fédération Djiboutienne de Football (FDF), marking its entry as a full member around its first regional appearances.[2] Eritrea followed suit in 1994 with the Eritrean National Football Federation (ENFF), shortly after independence in 1993, expanding northern Horn inclusion.[2] Burundi integrated in 1998 through the Fédération de Football du Burundi (FFB), adding another Great Lakes voice with full FIFA affiliation since 1995.[2] South Sudan became the most recent full member in 2012, represented by the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA), which gained CAF recognition that year and FIFA membership shortly after, reflecting post-independence growth in the region.[27] This brings the total to 11 full members as of 2025, distinct from the single associate member, Zanzibar, which lacks sovereign status.[7]| Country | Governing Body | Year Joined | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burundi | Fédération de Football du Burundi (FFB) | 1998 | Full FIFA/CAF member; contributes to Great Lakes stability initiatives.[2] |
| Djibouti | Fédération Djiboutienne de Football (FDF) | 1994 | Full CAF member, FIFA since 1994; focuses on youth development in Horn region.[2] |
| Eritrea | Eritrean National Football Federation (ENFF) | 1994 | Full CAF member, FIFA since 1994; represents post-independence growth.[2] |
| Ethiopia | Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) | 1983 | Full FIFA/CAF member; longstanding regional leader.[2] |
| Kenya | Football Kenya Federation (FKF) | 1973 (founder) | Full FIFA/CAF member; hosts CECAFA headquarters in Nairobi.[17] |
| Rwanda | Fédération Rwandaise de Football Association (FERWAFA) | 1995 | Full FIFA/CAF member; active in post-conflict rebuilding.[2] |
| Somalia | Somali Football Federation (SFF) | 1973 (founder) | Full CAF member, FIFA since 1960; persists amid challenges.[2] |
| South Sudan | South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) | 2012 | Full FIFA/CAF member since 2012; newest addition post-independence.[27] |
| Sudan | Sudan Football Association (SFA) | 1975 | Full FIFA/CAF member; bridges Central and East Africa.[2] |
| Tanzania | Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) | 1973 (founder) | Full FIFA/CAF member; key in East African integration.[2] |
| Uganda | Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) | 1973 (founder) | Full FIFA/CAF member; holds record 22 Senior Challenge Cup titles, highlighting sustained contributions.[4] |
Associate members
The Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF), governing body for football in the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar—a constituent region of Tanzania—serves as the sole associate member of CECAFA as of 2025. This status stems from Zanzibar's non-sovereign position following its 1964 union with Tanganyika to form Tanzania, limiting it to associate membership without full autonomy in international football governance. While associate members lack voting rights in CECAFA and broader CAF deliberations, the ZFF is permitted to field national teams in regional tournaments, fostering local development amid political constraints.[28][29][30] Zanzibar's participation in CECAFA is robust but circumscribed: its teams are eligible for all regional senior, youth, and women's competitions organized by the council, yet barred from CAF continental qualifiers such as the Africa Cup of Nations due to the associate designation. This arrangement enables competitive engagement within East and Central Africa, exemplified by Zanzibar's victory in the inaugural CECAFA Women's Championship in 1986, hosted on the islands and marking the region's first women's international title. Such involvement highlights Zanzibar's role in elevating football standards in semi-autonomous areas, where the sport serves as a cultural and developmental unifier.[28][31][7] The benefits of associate membership include access to CECAFA's technical and development programs, which support coaching, infrastructure, and youth initiatives tailored to regional needs, while limitations persist in global integration owing to the absence of FIFA membership. Without FIFA recognition, Zanzibar cannot enter world qualifiers or host certain international events independently, though its teams gain valuable exposure against full members like Kenya and Uganda. This unique position underscores CECAFA's flexibility in accommodating sub-national entities, promoting inclusive growth in East African football without undermining Tanzania's overarching sovereignty.[32][28][29]Competitions
Senior national team tournaments
The CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, the flagship men's tournament organized by the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), has been held annually since its inception in 1973, making it the oldest international football competition in Africa.[7] The tournament features senior national teams from CECAFA's member associations and typically involves 12 to 14 participating nations, divided into groups for preliminary matches followed by knockout stages leading to the final.[4] Hosting duties rotate among member countries to promote regional development and infrastructure, with the event serving as a key preparatory platform for teams ahead of continental competitions like the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Uganda has dominated historically, securing 15 titles, while Kenya follows with 7 victories, underscoring the intense rivalry in East African football.[4] After a hiatus from 2020 to 2024 due to logistical and financial challenges, the 2025 edition was planned but ultimately cancelled due to ongoing issues, extending the break.[7][12] Prize structures for the Senior Challenge Cup have evolved to incentivize participation, with winners historically receiving around $30,000, though recent editions have aimed to align with Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards for increased funding.[33] The competition's format emphasizes high-stakes matches, often under U-23 eligibility rules in recent years to blend youth development with senior experience, contributing to its significance as a stepping stone for players entering full international duty.[34] The CECAFA Women's Championship, introduced in 1986 and revived in a biennial format since 2016, represents the premier senior women's national team competition in the region, typically featuring 8 to 12 teams in a group-stage and knockout structure.[35] Like the men's event, hosting rotates among members to build capacity, with the tournament held in venues such as Uganda in 2016 and Tanzania in 2022 and 2025.[36] The winner qualifies for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), providing crucial exposure and a pathway to global events, while emphasizing the growth of women's football in East and Central Africa.[35] Tanzania has emerged as a leading force with three titles, including the 2025 edition, alongside successes by Uganda (2016), Ethiopia (2018), and Kenya (2022), highlighting the competition's role in elevating female participation and competitive standards.[36]Youth and women's tournaments
CECAFA organizes several youth tournaments aimed at fostering talent development among under-20, under-17, and under-15 national teams from its member associations, serving as qualifiers for continental competitions and platforms for grassroots football growth. These events emphasize skill-building, fair play, and regional integration, with formats typically featuring group stages followed by knockout rounds to promote competitive experience. Since the 2010s, CECAFA has expanded its youth calendar to include more age categories, contributing to the identification of promising players for senior national teams and CAF-affiliated programs.[37] The CECAFA U-20 Championship, held annually, involves eight to ten teams from East and Central African nations and acts as the zonal qualifier for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. In the 2024 edition hosted by Tanzania from October 6 to 20, nine teams were divided into two groups—one of four and one of five—with the top two from each advancing to semifinals, culminating in a final where Tanzania defeated Kenya 2-1, securing qualification for both finalists to the 2025 U-20 AFCON. This tournament highlights emerging talents, such as Uganda's third-place finish, and underscores CECAFA's focus on preparing players for higher-stakes international play.[38] The CECAFA U-17 Championship serves as the zonal qualifier for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and features up to ten teams in a group-based format, with the top three performers qualifying. The 2025 edition is currently underway in Ethiopia from November 15 to December 2 at Abebe Bikila Stadium and Dire Dawa Stadium, including ten participating nations drawn into groups and emphasizing defensive organization and technical proficiency in line with FIFA's youth development standards. Uganda enters as defending champions from the 2024 edition, where they defeated Tanzania 2-1 in the final. Past events, like the 2018 tournament in Burundi, have showcased rapid talent progression, with winners advancing to global stages such as the FIFA U-17 World Cup.[39][40][41] Introduced in the 2010s as a developmental initiative, the CECAFA U-15 Championship prioritizes non-competitive elements like training sessions and skill clinics over intense rivalry, involving around nine teams in round-robin groups to build foundational abilities. The 2023 event in Uganda saw Zanzibar emerge victorious via penalties against the hosts, with matches held at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru from November 4 to 18, focusing on grassroots participation and long-term player nurturing rather than immediate qualification pressures; no edition was held in 2024. This tournament supports CECAFA's broader strategy to enhance youth infrastructure across member associations.[42][43] Women's youth tournaments under CECAFA integrate U-20 events to promote gender inclusion, with the inaugural CECAFA Women's U-20 Championship in 2021 featuring six teams in a round-robin league format, where Ethiopia clinched the title by defeating Uganda. These competitions align with CAF's youth pathways, preparing players for events like the U-20 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Additionally, the inaugural CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship was scheduled for 2025 in Mombasa, Kenya, but was postponed multiple times and not held as of November 2025; it was intended to incorporate youth-inclusive elements alongside senior teams, featuring seven nations to broaden accessibility in women's beach football.[44][45][46]Club competitions
The Kagame Inter-Club Cup serves as CECAFA's flagship club tournament, bringing together elite teams from East and Central African member associations to compete regionally. Originally launched in 1974 as the CECAFA Club Championship, the competition was rebranded in 2002 under the sponsorship of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who has provided ongoing support. It has been contested over 47 editions as of 2025, with occasional interruptions due to logistical challenges, emphasizing club development and cross-border rivalries in the region.[47][48] The tournament typically involves 12 clubs, drawn from national champions, cup winners, or top league finishers across CECAFA's member nations, and is hosted annually by one of the associations. The format features a preliminary group stage divided into three pools of four teams each, where matches are played in a round-robin style. The winner of each group, along with the best-performing runner-up, advances to the semifinals, followed by knockout finals and a third-place playoff. This structure promotes competitive balance and highlights emerging talents while rotating hosting duties to boost local football infrastructure.[49][50] Historically, the Kagame Inter-Club Cup has showcased dominant performances from Tanzanian and Sudanese clubs, underscoring East African football's depth and intensity. Tanzania's Azam FC has claimed multiple titles, including victories in 2015 and 2018, while Sudan's Al-Merreikh has also lifted the trophy several times, such as in 2014. The competition fosters longstanding rivalries, such as those between Tanzanian powerhouses like Simba SC and Kenyan sides like Gor Mahia, contributing to the growth of professional club football in the region. The 2025 edition, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from September 2 to 15 and sponsored by Betika with a total prize pool of US$60,000, featured 12 teams announced in August; Singida Black Stars FC of Tanzania emerged as champions after defeating Al-Hilal SC of Sudan 2-1 in the final, earning US$30,000 for the win.[48][51][52][53][54]Current title holders
In the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, Uganda remains the defending champions from the 2019 edition, having defeated Eritrea 3-0 in the final at StarTimes Stadium in Kampala, with goals from Bright Anukani, Mustafa Kizza, and Joel Madondo; the 2025 tournament was cancelled due to logistical challenges.[55][12] Tanzania holds the title in the CECAFA Women's Championship after winning the 2025 edition hosted in Dar es Salaam, securing a 1-0 victory over Kenya in the final via an own goal by Enez Mango, marking their first regional crown since 2019.[36]| Competition | Current Holder | Year | Key Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| U-20 Championship | Tanzania | 2024 | Defeated Kenya 2-1 in the final at KMC Stadium, Dar es Salaam, qualifying for the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.[56] |
| U-17 Championship | Uganda | 2024 | Beat Tanzania 2-1 in the final at Nakivubo Stadium, Kampala, to secure qualification for the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. |
| U-15 Championship | Zanzibar | 2023 | Won 4-3 on penalties against hosts Uganda in the final at Njeru, following a 1-1 draw; no edition held in 2024.[57] |
| Kagame Inter-Club Cup | Singida Black Stars (Tanzania) | 2025 | Triumphed 2-1 over Al-Hilal (Sudan) in the final at KMC Stadium, with both goals scored by Clatous Chama.[52] |