CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup 2024 dates revealed

The dates for the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup have been set with the tournament taking place from Saturday 29 June to Sunday 14 July in Zanzibar.

This announcement comes on the heels of Zanzibar being confirmed as the host for the CECAFA's premier event during the General Assembly held last month in Mombasa, Kenya.

In a significant boost to the tournament's preparations, Uganda President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged a generous $300,000 (Ksh41 million) towards the event.

"After consultations with our sponsors Azam TV, we have decided that June 29th to July 14th will be the best timing to have the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup," remarked Auka Gecheo, the CECAFA Executive Director.

Gecheo called upon all Member Associations participating in the tournament to contribute US$20,000 (Ksh2,750,000) each. This collective fund will assist the hosts in covering the tournament's logistical and operational costs.

Furthermore, Gecheo revealed plans to invite guest teams from other zones, aiming to elevate the tournament's competitive edge and offer invaluable preparation for national teams ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and CHAN 2024 qualifiers.

The CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup is making a grand return after a four-year hiatus, with the last edition held in 2019.

That year, hosts Uganda triumphed over Eritrea in a memorable final.

Despite the CECAFA tournament being the sole source of regional pride for many, the need for improvement is evident as only five countries have reached the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in the last eight years, with none advancing past the group stages.

Established in 1926 as the Gossage Cup, CECAFA is Africa's oldest regional tournament initially featuring the British Protectorates of Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika, and Zanzibar before being renamed Senior Challenge Cup in 1967.

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