The Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) have said they are prepared to host a very successful CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.

Rwanda will host the regional tournament from July 24^th to August 7^th at the Amahoro Stadium and Kigali Pele Stadium.

Bonnie Mugabe, the FERWAFA General Secretary made it clear during a press conference held at the Amahoro Stadium Press Conference Hall, that they are prepared to give top class hosting capabilities to one of Africa’s biggest Club tournaments.

He made it clear that after successfully hosting the FIFA Series this year, FERWAFA are very confident that they will host one of the most successful Kagame Cup tournaments. “We are expecting many partners to come on board and support the tournament because we are looking at success,” added Mugabe.

He also explained that although some teams from Tunisia and Libya had promised to enter as guest sides, they had later withdrawn because of some challenges. “We are hoping to host the CECAFA Kagame Cup for the next three years in a row,” added Mugabe.

The CECAFA Interim Executive Director, Jean Sseninde also thanked FERWAFA for coming up to host the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026. “We plan to have many more teams participate in the tournament next year including guest sides,” explained Sseninde.

She also made it clear that US$60,000 will be up for garbs for the top three teams. The champions will pocket US$30,000, the runners-up US$20,000, and the third placed team US$10,000.

Rwanda President and CECAFA Patron, Paul Kagame has supported the tournament with cash prizes since 2002.

Three time winners APR FC have been drawn to open their CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 campaign against Kenya’s Gor Mahia FC on July 24^th at the Amahoro Stadium.

The official draw of the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 was conducted on Friday at the Amahoro Stadium Press Conference Hall.

CECAFA Head of Marketing and Communication, Andrew Jackson Oryada conducted the draw, assited by former Rwanda captain and Legend Haruna Niyonzima.

Group A will have APR FC, Vipers SC (Uganda), Gor Mahia FC (Kenya) and Djibouti’s Garde Republicaine FC. Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC will also play their opening match on the first day July 24th against Garde Republicaine FC.

The six time champions Simba SC have been placed in Group B together with the 2025 winners Singinda Black Stars FC (Tanzania), Jamus SC (South Sudan) and Somalia’s Mogadishu City Club.

Sudan giants and last year’s runners-up Al Hilal SC have been placed in Group C alongside Rayon Sports FC (Rwanda), Tusker FC (Kenya) and KVZ SC (Zanzibar).

“I am very excited that the region will again hodl the CECAFA Kagame Cup which gives teams an opportunity to prepare well,” said Niyonzima, who also played for APR FC, Rayon Sports FC, Simba SC and Young Africans SC.

Group A: APR FC, Vipers SC, Gor Mahia FC, Garde Republicaine FC

Group B: Singida Black Simba SC, Jamus SC, Mogadishu City Club

Group C: Al Hilal SC, Rayon Sports FC, Tusker FC, KVZ SC

Kenya Premier League side Tusker FC will feature in the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026.

The 2026 FKF Cup champions have replaced El Merriekh SC after the Sudan side pulled out citing challenges following a delayed conclusion to their domestic season.

Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager said having Tusker FC come to feature in the CECAFA Kagame Cup is a good development because they will represent Kenya in the 2026/2027 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 that will feature 12 teams from the Zone will take place July 24^th to August 7^th in Kigali, Rwanda.

CECAFA will conduct the official draw on Friday at the Amahoro National Stadium Press Conference room at 10am (Rwanda time) in Kigali.

CECAFA Head of Marketing and Communication Andrew Jackson Oryada will conduct the draw. Former Rwandan International and Legend Haruna Niyonzima will assist with the draw. CECAFA and the hosts Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) will hold a press conference at the same venue after the draw is conducted.

The 12 teams for CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026: APR FC, ⁠Rayon Sport (Rwanda), ⁠Simba SC, Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania), ⁠Vipers SC (Uganda), ⁠Al Hilal SC (Sudan), ⁠Gor Mahia FC, Tusker FC (Kenya), ⁠Mogadishu City FC (Somalia), ⁠Jamus SC ( South Sudan), ⁠FC Garde Républicaine (Djibouti), ⁠KVZ FC (Zanzibar)

The Serengeti Boys have continued to impress at the on-going 4-Nation China International Youth Football Tournament.

After stopping Nigeria 3-2 in their opening match, the Tanzania U-17s humbled hosts China 2-0 in a match played on Wednesday.

Tanzania, the runner-ups at the CAF U-17 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), controlled much of the match with pace and physicality.

After Hasani Mussa Kizinga struck the crossbar from a 38th-minute penalty, he made amends just before halftime with a long-range strike to give Tanzania the lead.

China showed greater attacking intent after the break but struggled to break down Tanzania’s organized defense. Tanzania had a goal disallowed for offside in the 69th minute before Dismas Shida Athanasi capitalized on a defensive error deep into stoppage time to seal the victory.

China’s coach Bin Ukishima credited Tanzania for their good speed, physical strength, individual quality and tactical discipline posed major problems for his side.

“Tanzania gave us valuable World Cup-level experience. It was a very useful simulation match,” said Ukishima.

In the second game Nigeria U-7s suffered a 4-2 defeat to Australia. The tournament will end on July 11th as Tanzania face Australia and China take on Nigeria.

Tanzania are using the 4-Nations Invitational tournament to prepare ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026 to take place in December in Qatar.