Mombasa, Kenya–During the ongoing CECAFA General Assembly, the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has granted Zanzibar the privilege of hosting the 2024 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.
Isayas Jira, the CECAFA Vice President and Chairman of the Competitions Committee, disclosed the decision, which was made during the CECAFA Executive meeting held on February 22nd, 2024.
“We brought back the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup because of marketing issues,” stated Isayas, highlighting the significance of reviving the tournament. Additionally, he announced the appointment of six members tasked with effecting changes in CECAFA tournaments.
The CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup makes a comeback after its last edition in 2019, held in Uganda. Suleiman Mahmoud Jabir, President of the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF), expressed his elation at the tournament’s return. “For us, the Senior Challenge Cup is like a World Cup, and having it back will perhaps help strengthen our teams to qualify more for AFCON,” remarked Jabir.
Moreover, Zanzibar has been entrusted with hosting the CAF Africa Schools Football Championship CECAFA Zonal qualifiers. Meanwhile, Uganda has secured the rights to host the AFCON U-17 Boys CECAFA Zonal qualifiers, and Tanzania will host the AFCON U-20 CECAFA Zonal qualifiers.
Ethiopia has been selected as the host nation for the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA qualifiers, alongside the CECAFA U-20 Girls Championship. These decisions mark a significant step in the development and promotion of football across East and Central Africa.
