Vital'o out

 Villa entertain APR as, Merriekh go to Nairobi By Fred KAKEETO in Mombasa and Peter Ekarot in Kampala BURUNDI champions Vital'O have withdrawn from the tournament forcing organisers to make big changes to the fixtures. Perennial campaigners Vital'O' failed to confirm participation and Kenya Football Federation (KFF) deputy Secretary Dan Murunga told The New Vision they had been replaced in Nairobi's group A by Djibouti's CTN, who are expected to arrive Sunday. CTN had originally been placed in Mombasa's group B for the preliminary round. Vital'O's ouster leaves nine teams in the tournament, five in group A and four in group B. El-Merriekh were moved to Nairobi, meaning Ugandan champions SC Villa, who were originally supposed to face the Sudanese giants in their opening match on Monday, will now meet APR of Rwanda. CECAFA's executive officer Nicholas Musonye explained that the changes had been made to suit television broadcasting for the regional championships. Meanwhile, SC Villa striker Eugene Ssepuuya declined to feature in the tournament, instead flying to London yesterday. Villa chairman Technical Sam Tamale Kapeera said: "Ssepuuya decided to fly to London without informing us." Kenyan international striker Abed Lusamukha formerly with Chemlil FC replaces him. Ends.