Defenders Andy Mwesigwa (left) and Simeon Masaba training for the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup at Namboole

By Reuben Olita
in Nairobi

EVEN with uncertainty surrounding their participation owing to financial constraints, Uganda Cranes have been drawn against Taifa Stars of Tanzania in the Orange CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.

The region’s premier soccer event will be held in Nairobi and Mumias from November 28-December 13. Uganda, the defending champions, are drawn in Pool C in Mumias, Western Kenya.

The draw that was released by CECAFA Secretary General, Nicholas Musonye in Nairobi yesterday will see Cranes, the record 10-time winners, open their campaign on November 29 with a titanic clash against Taifa Stars.

Cranes then meet Burundi in their second encounter on December 2 before winding up their preliminaries against Zanzibar on December 4.

Uganda returns to Kenya hoping to emulate their 1989 feat when they triumphed over Malawi 2-1 in post match penalties after a 3-3 stalemate in regular time.

CECAFA is the oldest football tournament in Africa. It is the successor tournament to the Gossage Cup, held 37 times from 1926 to 1966 and the East and Central African
Senior Challenge Cup competed for 7 times between 1965 and 1971.

Zambia and Zimbabwe, members of COCAFA for southern African nations entered as guest teams.