CECAFA
CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup: Eritrea fight back to hold Ethiopia 3-3
It was raining goals on either side as hosts Ethiopia and Eritrea today settled for a 3-3 draw in the opening tie of the CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup.
The Pool B game watched by over 15,000 spectators at the Bahir Dar Stadium kicked-off in style with each of the teams looking for an early lead.
Eritrean defender Nahom Tedesse Mekonen had his 5th minute shot miss the target before the home side reorganized and scored after 10 minutes. William Solomo Tesfae found the Eritrean defenders flat footed and made no mistake slotting the ball past the Eritrean goalkeeper Kibrom Solomon Haile.
But the Eritrean team started to show more dominance with skipper Robel Teklemichael in command in the heart of the midfield.
After missing three chances Eritrea’s Ali Suleiman Ibrahim leveled matters when he beat Ethiopia’s goalkeeper Tsiyon Merid Jimma with a low shot in the 38 minutes to make it 1-1. But Ethiopia made it 2-1 only three minutes later with a penalty converted by skipper Abubeker Nasir Ahmed.
But before the Ethiopian team could settle down after taking the lead Ali Suleiman Ibrahim was quick to score his second of the day when he chipped advancing goalkeeper Jimma.
The two teams intensified their search for more goals after the interval, but with Ethiopia showing more dominance.
But after 56 minutes Eritrea’s defence was caught flat footed again giving room for Abubeker Nasir Ahmed to restore Ethiopia’s lead. Ahmed who showed a lot of hunger in-front of goal shot past the advancing goalkeeper to make it 3-2.
After 72 minutes Eritrea were also handed a penalty. Ali Suleiman Ibrahim made sure he netted his third goal of the day when he sent the Ethiopian goalkeeper the wrong side to make it 3-3.
Ethiopia’s head coach Wubetu Abate said his players had put up a good show in the opening match. “We missed several scoring chances, but we shall try to correct our mistakes ahead of our next game against Burundi,” said Abate after the game.
Mekonen Zewde Abraha, the Eritrean coach said he was happy with the attitude his players showed to fight back and pick a draw. “We shall continue working hard to make sure we perform better in our next game,” he added.
Pool B
P W D L GA GA AD Pts
Eritrea 1 0 1 0 3 3 0 1
Ethiopia 1 0 1 0 3 3 0 1
Burundi 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kenya’s Harambee Starlets have arrived in Ivory Coast ahead of two International friendly matches against Benin and the hosts.
Under head coach Beldine Odemba, the Harambee Starlets will face Benin on Monday, and conclude with a match against Ivory Coast on March 4th at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara d’Ebimpé.
The two matches are will be used as build-ups ahead of the 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) expected to take place in Morocco March 17th to April 3rd.
“We are glad that the team will play two build-up matches in Ivory Coast and later have time to camp in France,” said coach Odemba.
Ivory Coast are currently ranked 72nd in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, while Benin sit at 139. Kenya is currently placed 133rd.
Kenya and Tanzania are the two teams that qualified for the 2026 WAFCON. The Harambee Starlets are pooled in Group A alongside Morocco, Senegal and Algeria.
Final squad
Goalkeepers: Lilian Awuor, Annedy Kundu, Juliet Adhiambo
Defenders: Ruth Ingosi, Dorcas Shikobe, Enez Mango, Vivian Nasaka, Elizabeth Ochaka, Diana Ochol, Lorine Ilavonga, Elizabeth Muteshi
Midfielders: Lydia Akoth, Vidah Akeyo, Lorna Nyarinda, Fasila Adhiambo, Martha Amunyolet, Mwanalima Adam, Shaline Nambengele
Forwards: Violet Nanjala, Elizabeth Wambui, Jentrix Shikangwa, Shalyne Opisa, Airin Madalina, Valerie Nekesa, Eglay Mukhwana
The new President of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam has officially assumed office at the CECAFA headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
He was warmly received by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President, Hussein Mohamed.
Flanked by CECAFA Interim Executive Director Jean Sseninde and CECAFA Vice President Ali Abdi, Andermariam outlined his bold vision for a more revitalized and impactful CECAFA.
The new President said his mission centers on strengthening institutional structures, enhancing strategic partnerships – particularly with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports – and driving sustainable growth across the region.
Having earlier in the day met Ministry of Youth and Sports CS Elijah Mwangi, he revealed established and ongoing engagements between CECAFA and the Ministry aimed at establishing a permanent CECAFA Headquarters in Nairobi. This is deemed at enhancing CECAFA stability and regional influence.
He emphasized the need for more capacitated human resources to elevate the game, especially as the region—Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania – prepares to co-host Africa’s biggest football tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations.
In his remarks, Hussein Mohamed welcomed the new President, pledging full support and collaboration to ensure CECAFA achieves its strategic objectives.
The event was attended by the CECAFA Vice-President and members of the CECAFA Secretariat, and former FKF Vice President Doris Petra. The new CECAFA President takes over from Alexandre Muyenge who served as the Acting President since late last year.
The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) will have seven tournaments in the 2026 season.
The announcement was made during the CECAFA Elective General Assembly which took place on February 7th in Djibouti.
“We are glad that the competitions committee came up with a calendar and the Executive Committee passed it, and later it was presented to the Assembly,” said the newly elected CECAFA President Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam.
According to the calendar, the season will kick off with the CECAFA U-17 Girls Championship from May 30 to June 14th, 2026.
Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager also explained that after failing to host the inaugural CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship last year, the regional body is planning to have the tournament take place July 1-5th this year. “It is long overdue for the Zone to have a Beach Soccer tournament because other Zones like the COSAFA already have one,” added Mossi.
The Zone will also organize the club competition, the CECAFA Kagame Cup from July 18 to August 9th. The competition is normally used to prepare teams in the pre-season ahead of the start of the Confederation of Africa Football Associations (CAF) competitions.
The Zone will also organize the CAF Women’s Champions League for CECAFA qualifiers, African Schools Football Championship CECAFA qualifiers, CAF U-17 African Cup of Nations CECAFA qualifiers and CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations CECAFA qualifiers.
CECAFA 2026 competitions
# CECAFA U-17 Girls Championship (May 14-June 14th)
# CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship (July 1-5)
# CECAFA Kagame Cup (July 18 – August 9th)
# CAF Women’s Champions League – CECAFA Qualifiers
(August 22 – September 6th)
# CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA Qualifiers
(August 12-15th)
# U-17 AFCON – CECAFA Qualifiers (October 14-19th)
# U-20 AFCON – CECAFA Qualifiers
(September 19 – October 10th)
The media accreditation application window for media interested in covering the CECAFA Elective General Assembly has opened today and will run till February 2nd, 2026.
The CECAFA Elective General Assembly will take place on Saturday, 7th February 2026 in Djibouti.
Media interested in covering the Assembly will need to process their visas to Djibouti.
Successful applicants will be notified and provided with further information in due course.
-ENDS-
Further Enquiries:
CECAFA Communications
-
CAF Champions League4 months agoYoung Africans draw Al Ahly for CAF Champions League group stage
-
CAF African Nations Championship1 year agoAfrican Nations Championship 2025 dates announced
-
CAF African Nations Championship7 months agoCHAN 2024: Kenya lead group, to face Madagascar in quarter final stage
-
CECAFA11 years agoBotswana beats Kenya in African Youth Championships
-
FIFA WOrld Cup Qualifiers6 months agoUganda win, Tanzania pick late draw in FIFA World Cup qualifiers
-
FIFA U-17 World Cup 20254 months agoUganda ejects Senegal to storm FIFA U-17 World Cup round of 16
-
NEWS5 years agoYoung Africans SC face Nyasa Big Bullets in CECAFA Kagame Cup kick-off
-
Top stories6 years agoWe need to win the first match against Coronavirus – Infantino