Rwanda have confirmed that they will not be taking part in the upcoming CECAFA Challenge Cup that will be staged in Bahir-Dar, Ethiopia that is set to kickstart on July 17, 2021, due to COVID-19.The tournament was set to start initially on July 3 but it was pushed forward to commence on July 17, 2021, and Kenya’s Emerging Stars are set to leave for Ethiopia on July 14, 2021.Fèdèration Rwandaisè de Football Association (FERWAFA) made the announcement through a press statement, saying that the decision was arrived at owing to the fact that the region is at risk of a highly infectious Covid-19 Delta variant which poses great risks to the population.“Reference is also made to the Covid-19 preventive measures drawn by the government of Rwanda imposing partial lockdown on most activities including contact and team sports as well as movement restrictions between districts, provinces and the city of Kigali. Rwanda U23 national football team will not participate in the CECAFA U23 due to be held in Bahir-Dar, Ethiopia from 17July-July 31st 2021,” part of the statement from the federation read.I think better cancel this CECAFA thingy at this rate https://t.co/Cgm0A6wutS— John Aggrey (@Superjohna07) July 9, 2021 FERWAFA also confirmed that Scandinavia WFC, which was expected to take part in the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA zonal qualifiers in Nairobi will not take part either in the event scheduled to kick off on July 17, 2021.The team was pooled in the same group of the qualifiers, Group C, with Kenya’s representative Vihiga Queens and FAD Club of Djibouti.”Scandinavia WFC as well will not take part in the upcoming CAF WCL CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers 2021 scheduled for July 17th to July 31st, 2021 in Kenya,” the statement continued.@Vihigaqueens has been pooled in Group C of the upcoming CAF Women Champions League Zonal Qualifiers.Find out who they’re up against 🔗 https://t.co/QmEOHrp68H— CAF WCL Zonal Qualifiers (@CafWcl) July 8, 2021 With the confirmation, only nine countries are left to feature including the hosts Ethiopia, Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, South Sudan, Djibouti, Zanzibar, Democratic Republic of Congo, and the defending Champions Uganda.Unlike in previous editions where the senior national teams participated, this year’s edition will see the U-23 teams representing their respective countries, with at most three senior players included.⚽️| New dates released for upcoming CECAFA U23 tournament that is set for Ethiopia#Cecafa #EmergingStars https://t.co/JZzXx1D1cc— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) June 28, 2021
