The organizers of the Mapinduzi Cup 2025 have announced significant changes to the tournament format following the withdrawal of the Burundi national team and the Uganda Cranes.Initially, the competition was structured into two groups of three teams, but it will now be played on a league basis, featuring one group.All matches are scheduled to take place at the Gombani Stadium in Pemba.##NAJAVA_MECA_8605373##Speaking to The Citizen, Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) President Suleiman Jabir revealed that Burundi’s late withdrawal left organizers scrambling to find a replacement.Efforts to bring in South Sudan were unsuccessful, forcing the tournament to shift to a single-group league format.“We received Burundi’s withdrawal at the last minute, and despite our best efforts to fill the gap, we were unable to secure a replacement. South Sudan, our alternative, also declined to participate,” said Jabir on the phone.Jabir confirmed that the tournament’s revised fixture would be released within a few hours.Kimanzi speaks hope to players dropped from Stars’ Mapinduzi Cup squadDespite the changes, the schedule for the final remains unchanged, with the championship match set to take place on January 13 at the Gombani Stadium.The remaining teams in the competition are Zanzibar Heroes (hosts), Kilimanjaro Stars (Tanzania Mainland), Harambee Stars (Kenya), and Burkina Faso.These teams will now compete in a round-robin format, ensuring that each side plays against all the others.#VSPORTS BURUNDI NA UGANDA ZAJITOA KUSHIRIKI MAPINDUZI CUPTimu mbili za Taifa Burundi na Uganda Hazitashiriki Michuano ya Mapinduzi 2025.Powered By @marketpluspromotion .#ChannelVUpdates#V-Sports#TuongeeKimichezoZaidi pic.twitter.com/Wi2dTEox5U— Channel V Tanzania (@channelv_tz) January 2, 2025 Traditionally, the Mapinduzi Cup has been a platform for top football clubs from East Africa and invited teams to showcase their talent.Stars Abroad: Clarke Oduor on target as Bradford battle for a point in BarrowHowever, the 2025 edition introduces a new twist by including national teams.This change aligns with preparations for the upcoming continental tournaments, as Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda are set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals and the 2025 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).“This year’s competition offers an excellent opportunity for the competing national teams to prepare for the CHAN tournament,” Jabir explained##NAJAVA_MECA_8606737##
