Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania Plan CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup as Warmup for CHAN 2024
In a move to ensure their teams are well-prepared for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania have announced plans to jointly host the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in May or June 2025. This decision was made during the CECAFA Congress held in Juba, South Sudan, earlier
The CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, Africa’s oldest football tournament, was last held in Ethiopia in 2019. The tournament provides a platform for East African teams to build squad cohesion and fine-tune their strategies ahead of major competitions. Hosting the cup will also allow the three nations to test their organizational readiness and infrastructure ahead of CHAN 2024, which they will co-host from August 2 to 30, 2025.
The Local Organising Committees (LOCs) for CHAN 2024 from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania met on the sidelines of the CECAFA Congress to propose the idea of hosting the CECAFA Challenge Cup. Nicholas Musonye, the chairman of Kenya’s National Steering Committee for CHAN 2024 and 2027 AFCON, emphasized the importance of this preparatory event. The CECAFA General Secretary, Auka Gecheo, confirmed that the secretariat has been given two weeks to evaluate the logistics and present a report.
The CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup will provide valuable competitive action for the participating teams, allowing them to assess their strengths and weaknesses before the CHAN tournament. It will also give players the opportunity to showcase their skills and gain confidence ahead of the continental showpiece.
With the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup set to take place in May or June 2025, fans can look forward to an exciting build-up to CHAN 2024. The joint hosting by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania not only highlights their commitment to football development but also promises a thrilling tournament for football enthusiasts across East Africa.
