The CECAFA Kagame Club Championship, renowned as the CECAFA Cup, has been a pillar of East African football for decades. However, its once-glistening reputation has recently dimmed.Traditionally, the tournament drew the region’s finest clubs and talents, serving as a platform for both glory and scouting opportunities. Yet, a noticeable decline has set in.##NAJAVA_MECA_8204431##Major clubs such as Simba SC, Yanga and Azam have notably withdrawn in recent years, leaving a void in both quality and excitement. Even smaller nations like Eritrea and Somalia have opted out this year, signaling a troubling lack of value attached to the tournament among these clubs.Reflecting on the tournament’s evolution, Ricky Solomon, head of the Kenya Football Coaches Association (KEFOCA) and a former CECAFA champion with Harambee Stars, laments the loss of vibrancy.”Since the departure of long-serving CECAFA General Secretary Nicholas Musonye in 2019, the tournament hasn’t been the same,” Solomon observes. “In Musonye’s era, CECAFA was akin to a World Cup challenge; every match was a battle to earn a place in the lineup.”Naivas FC coach confident despite narrow playoff loss to SofapakaDespite these challenges, there remains optimism for revival. Kenya’s Gor Mahia, champions of the FKF Premier League, will fly the flag this year. Solomon, however, believes the return of regional giants like Tanzania’s Yanga could reignite the tournament’s prestige.”Imagine the impact of teams like Yanga competing again,” Solomon muses. “It would inspire our players and fans alike.”With the COSAFA tournament gaining traction and attracting top teams, Solomon urges CECAFA organizers to rethink their approach. “We need to revitalize CECAFA,” he asserts. “Seeking advice from figures like Musonye could be crucial in reclaiming our relevance.”The upcoming tournament, featuring twelve teams including Zambia’s Red Arrows as the sole guest, kicks off from July 9-21 in Dar Es Salaam. The format promises excitement, with the top teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals.As East Africa prepares to host this revered competition once more, the hope lingers that CECAFA can recapture its former glory and once again become a beacon of regional football excellence.2024 CECAFA PoolsGroups A: Coast Union FC (Tanzania), Al Wadi FC (Sudan), JKU SC (Zanzibar), Dekedaha FC (Somalia)Group B: Al Hilal (Sudan), Gor Mahia FC (Kenya), Red Arrows FC (Zambia), Djibouti Telecom (Djibouti)Group C: SC Villa (Uganda), APR FC (Rwanda), Singida Black Stars (Tanzania), El Merriekh Bentiu (South Sudan)Kariobangi Youth benefit from Victor Omune’s Mozzart Bet Cup humanitarian cheque
