The President of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the development of women referees across the CECAFA Zone.

Andemariam said this while meeting referees and match instructors officiating at the on-going CAF Women’s Champions League Zonal qualifier at the Gorilla Gold Hotel in Kigali, Rwanda on Sunday.

He commended the referees for the professionalism, teamwork and commitment they have demonstrated throughout the competition. The CECAFA President encouraged the female referees to remain ambitious and continue working towards the highest levels of the game, including becoming FIFA referees and earning appointments at major continental competitions.

He informed the officials that CECAFA has already initiated discussions with CAF aimed at strengthening the resources and development support available to CECAFA Member Associations. Andemariam further assured them that CECAFA will continue pursuing new sponsors and strategic partners to create more opportunities for women across the game. He also announced that CECAFA intends to start a dedicated women referees’ VAR development course in 2027.

Josephine Wanjiku, a referee from Kenya who also officiated at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 thanked the CECAFA President for the visit, and requested for a women’s only VAR course to equip them better.

Jean Sseninde, the CECAFA Interim Executive Director Jean Sseninde, reiterated the Secretariat’s commitment to implementing the strategic direction of the CECAFA leadership and continuing to create an enabling environment for women to progress across technical and administrative areas of football.

Nine teams have registered to take part in the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

The regional qualifier will take place September 16-30^th,2026 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager confirmed that the nine teams have entered, and only Eritrea and Somalia will miss out.

“The draw for the competition will take place on August 31^st at the Kigali Pele Stadium in the Rwanda capital Kigali at 10.30am. We shall have three groups with three teams each. The top team in each group and the best second placed team from any group will qualify for the semi-final stage,” added Mossi.

He further explained that the best two teams will qualify to represent the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Tanzania are the defending champions after defeating Kenya 2-1 in the final during the 2024 Zonal qualifiers held at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Eight teams from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) have been drawn for the TotalEnergies U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifiers.

In the draw conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Egypt on Tuesday, the eight teams have all been drawn to start in the first round.

Kenya have drawn Tanzania, while Djibouti takes on South Sudan. The other fixtures will see Ethiopia take on Uganda, and Rwanda battle Sudan. The first leg matches of the first round will be played on September 28^th, while the return legs will take place October 6^th.

The winner between Ethiopia and Uganda over two legs will qualify to face Morocco in the second round of the qualifiers in November this year.

Senegal will await to face the winner between Djibouti and South Sudan in the second round, while the winner between Kenya and Tanzania will line-up against Cote D’Ivoire in the next round. The winner between Rwanda and Sudan will take on Cameroon in the second round.

A total of 43 nations will be engaged in the U-23 AFCON  qualifiers, with hosts Egypt automatically qualified for the finals in 2027.

The remaining 42 teams will compete for seven places at the continental showpiece through three rounds of home-and-away qualifying ties that end in March 2027.

First round matches for CECAFA teams

Kenya Vs Tanzania

Djibouti Vs South Sudan

Ethiopia Vs Uganda

Rwanda Vs Sudan

Uganda Cranes attacking midfielder Allan Okello has completed a move to Morocco’s Premier League – Botola Pro side, AS FAR Rabat.

The 26-year old was unveiled by the Club on Friday. He joins the Moroccan side on a three year deal.

“I am very excited to join a big team like AS FAR. I promise to do my best to help the team to win titles,” added Okello.

Okello moves from Tanzania Premier League side Young Africans SC who he only joined late last year.

The midfielder delivered a commendable performance netting 14 goals and 8 assists in the seven months he spent with the Tanzanian Champions.

Before joining Young Africans SC, Okello also helped Vipers SC win a double in the 2024/2025 season.

Okello returns to North Africa having featured for Algeria’s Premier League side between 2020-2023.

In Uganda Okello made his breakthrough in School Football before joining Premier League side KCCA FC who he helped reach the group stage of the 2028/2029 CAF Champions League.

The attacking midfielder is also remembered for missing a penalty in a crucial group match against Tanzania at the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.