Cecafa copies Cosafa
May 30, 2004
THE 75-year-old Senior Challenge Cup format that had teams assembling in one nation for a three-week competition, has been scrapped, and will be changed to be played in groups, with home and away games leading to the final.
By Reuben Olita
in Nairobi
THE 75-year-old Senior Challenge Cup format that had teams assembling in one nation for a three-week competition, has been scrapped, and will be changed to be played in groups, with home and away games leading to the final.
The Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations(CECAFA) made the decision at a meeting during the FIFA congress in Paris, France on May 19.
Beginning this year, the regional showcase will be held in the same format as that of the Confederation of Southern Africa football association(COSAFA).
The Castle Lager COSAFA Cup has emerged as one of the best organised tournaments in Africa with lucrative sponsorship from South African Breweries.
CECAFA secretary, Nicholas Musonye said members from 10 countries of the 11 member association unanimously agreed to adopt the COSAFA-format.
He said the old format had become too expensive since hosts had to accommodate teams in one venue for three weeks.
“Added to that, it had become cumbersome to look for potential hosts as many member countries opted out at the eleventh hour owing to financial constraints. It was difficult on our part due to lack of sponsorship for the event since its inception,†Musonye said.
The CECAFA regional soccer tournament started in 1927 as the East African Gossage Cup that turned into the East and central Africa Senior Challenge Cup in 1972.
However, Musonye said the new format would not affect the club championships, renamed Kagame Cup.
“The club event is there to remain as it is one of the best organised championships among the six regions of Africa,†he said.
The 10-country members who endorsed the new format in Paris were Kenya,Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia,Eritrea, Sudan and Djibouti. Zanzibar did not attend.
Uganda’s Denis Obua, Haruna Mawanda and Shafi Menya attended.
in Nairobi
THE 75-year-old Senior Challenge Cup format that had teams assembling in one nation for a three-week competition, has been scrapped, and will be changed to be played in groups, with home and away games leading to the final.
The Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations(CECAFA) made the decision at a meeting during the FIFA congress in Paris, France on May 19.
Beginning this year, the regional showcase will be held in the same format as that of the Confederation of Southern Africa football association(COSAFA).
The Castle Lager COSAFA Cup has emerged as one of the best organised tournaments in Africa with lucrative sponsorship from South African Breweries.
CECAFA secretary, Nicholas Musonye said members from 10 countries of the 11 member association unanimously agreed to adopt the COSAFA-format.
He said the old format had become too expensive since hosts had to accommodate teams in one venue for three weeks.
“Added to that, it had become cumbersome to look for potential hosts as many member countries opted out at the eleventh hour owing to financial constraints. It was difficult on our part due to lack of sponsorship for the event since its inception,†Musonye said.
The CECAFA regional soccer tournament started in 1927 as the East African Gossage Cup that turned into the East and central Africa Senior Challenge Cup in 1972.
However, Musonye said the new format would not affect the club championships, renamed Kagame Cup.
“The club event is there to remain as it is one of the best organised championships among the six regions of Africa,†he said.
The 10-country members who endorsed the new format in Paris were Kenya,Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia,Eritrea, Sudan and Djibouti. Zanzibar did not attend.
Uganda’s Denis Obua, Haruna Mawanda and Shafi Menya attended.