The dates are set for the return of the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, which will officially take place from 29 June to 14 July in Zanzibar, as per Wednesday’s announcement from the association.The tournament, whose return was announced during the CECAFA General Assembly in Mombasa, Kenya on 23 February, was last held four years ago in 2019, when hosts Uganda beat Eritrea to clinch the championship.Speaking on the dates, CECAFA Executive Director, Auka Gecheo said: “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.”In addition, Gecheo made it clear that CECAFA were thinking of inviting guest teams from other Zones to spice up the competition, which will also help national teams prepare ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and CHAN 2024 qualifiers.He also called upon all Member Associations that will send teams to each contribute US$20,000 (Ksh. 2,749,600) that would be used by the hosts to cater for the tournament.##NAJAVA_MECA_7950681##Speaking about the return of the competition – initially proposed in a 22 February meeting – CECAFA Vice President Isayas Jira in the General Assembly last month said: “We brought back the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup because of marketing issues and appointed six members to make changes for our tournaments.”Zanzibar awarded rights to host 2024 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, revenue reports and budget unveiledZanzibar, apart from hosting the June event, will also hold the Africa School Football Championships Zonal Qualifiers on 4-7 December 2024.Full list of CECAFA tournaments in the 2024 calendarCECAFA Senior Challenge Cup (Zanzibar), June 29th to July 14thCAF Women’s Champions League Zonal qualifiers (Ethiopia), August 17th to Sept 1stAFCON U-20 Boys Zonal qualifiers (Tanzania), October 5-19thAfrica Schools Football Championship Zonal qualifiers (Zanzibar), December 4-7thCECAFA U-20 Women’s Championship (Ethiopia), NovemberAFCON U-17 Boys Zonal qualifiers (Uganda), December 14-19thAdditional reporting from CECAFA Online.
