Tusker Set for Cecafa Tourney

Eleven teams have confirmed participation in this year's Confederation of East and Central Africa Football Association (Cecafa) Club Championships, in Dar-es- salaam ,Tanzania, between July 12 and 26.

Cecafa secretary, Nicholas Musonye,said only Ethiopia and Sudan had not confirmed whether they will take part in the two-week tournament.


" Ethiopia and Sudan who are delaying pooling of teams. We are waiting for official communication from them," said Musonye.

Tusker FC, who were recently barred from continental championships due to a debt the Kenya Football Federation (KFF) owed the Confederation of African Football (CAF), now have a chance to showcase their supremacy in the regional competition.

However, taking the trophy from APR of Rwanda would be no easy task, given that Tusker suffered off-pitch distraction due to recent post- election violence.

Musonye said this year's championships would be the most competitive in the history of the championships. "We have witnessed the positive changes in the region's football in sponsorships and football development projects. We wish to see the effect of these on our football," he said.

He added that, all clubs would want to impress because the world had taken keen interest in East African football.

Musonye hinted that Dar-es- salaam's main stadium, currently under construction, is the most likely venue for the games.

"Construction work at the stadium is almost complete. We are very positive everything will be ready before July," said Musonye.

The secretary is optimistic that the championships will be the biggest club competition in the region, as no serious football tournament has been played in the recent past.

"Since the curtain fell on the Africa Cup of Nations, football fans in the region have been waiting for the Cecafa Championships," he added.

As the host nation, Tanzania will enjoy an advantage of fielding two teams and will be represented by Yanga and Simba football clubs.

Defending champions, APR of Rwanda, will represent Rwanda ,while Burundi will send Pitaloo FC to the championship. Other teams, which have confirmed participation, are Miembeni FC of Zanzibar and Ten-Ten FC from Eritrea.