Uganda to host 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup

Thursday Feb 14, 2019. 15:00

Uganda has been confirmed as the host nation for the 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, with members of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations endorsing the country during a consultative meeting held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia earlier this week.

The tournament was not held in 2018 after Kenya withdrew from hosting. This year members of the oldest regional body committed to contribute to a solidarity fund that will guarantee the staging of the annual competition.

Uganda last hosted the competition in 2012 where they won 2-1 against Kenya in the final at the Namboole National Stadium in Kampala.

The meeting in Addis Ababa also saw the inauguration of the Regional FIFA Development Office in the city.

The office will cater for the development programmes of CECAFA and the North Zone, and it’s opening was attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF boss Ahmad Ahmad.

FIFA will also fund five programmes in the region: the Under 17 Challenge Cup in Eritrea, Under-17 Women Challenge Cup in Kenya, Under-20 Women Challenge Cup in Uganda, Senior Women Challenge Cup in Tanzania and Under-20 Men Challenge Cup in Uganda.

"FIFA has really helped us in terms of developing football in the region especially women and youth which are the core areas of tapping talent,” said CECAFA secretary general Nicholas Musonye, as quoted by Capital Sport.

“The Kagame Cup and Senior Challenge Cup is upon us the CECAFA Secretariat to fund it and the good thing is that members have committed to support it and ensure we don't miss it. This year all the competitions will be successful.”

CECAFA is among three areas in Africa that were selected to host FIFA regional offices, with others being set up in Dakar, Senegal and Johannesburg in South Africa.