The fixtures for the upcoming CECAFA Women’s Championship, set to commence next week, have been officially released by the regional football governing body.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsThe tournament returns after a three-year hiatus and is scheduled to kick off on Thursday, 12 June in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The last edition was held in Uganda in 2022, where the Uganda Crested Cranes clinched their maiden title with a 3-1 win over Burundi in the final.##NAJAVA_MECA_8963099##So far, five nations have confirmed participation: hosts Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan. This year’s edition will follow a round-robin format, with all teams playing against each other.Kenya’s Harambee Starlets will begin their campaign on Saturday, 14 June against Burundi, before taking on Uganda on Tuesday, 17 June, South Sudan on Thursday, 19 June, and wrapping up their fixtures is a clash against hosts Tanzania on Saturday, 21 June.AFC Leopards chairman promises to host Mashemeji Derby at Bukhungu StadiumCECAFA Competitions Director Yusuf Mossi highlighted the strategic timing of the championship, noting that it is designed to help national teams prepare for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).“This tournament is particularly important for teams like Tanzania, who have already qualified for WAFCON. But it also offers valuable preparation for teams like Kenya, who are gearing up for the qualification round later this year,” Mossi said.KRU nears historic appointment of first female chairpersonKenya will use the tournament as part of its build-up to the WAFCON qualifier double-header against The Gambia scheduled for September.Meanwhile, the Harambee Starlets were in action on Wednesday, 4 June, in an international friendly against Morocco in Rabat, where they suffered a 5-1 defeat. The team is currently en route back to Kenya.##NAJAVA_MECA_8965512##Despite the loss, forward Violet Nanjala remained optimistic, stressing the importance of such friendlies in the team’s development.“Playing against strong teams like Morocco is crucial in identifying and addressing our weak points. We plan to use the WAFCON window in July to continue refining our play, especially with all players expected to be available for the Gambia clash in September,” Nanjala said.Harambee Starlets upbeat despite embarrassing defeat to Morocco
