The CECAFA Kagame Cup 2024 tournament is set to kick off on Tuesday July 9 and 12 teams will compete to be crowned regional champions.
The 2024 edition marks the return of the Interclub competition for the first time since 2021.
Here is everything you need to know about the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2024:
Tournament host
The competition will be held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The competition will be played at two stadiums – Azam Complex in Chamazi and KMC stadium in Kinondoni.
Tournament format
Twelve teams are placed in three groups of four teams each. The top teams in each group and the best runners up will automatically qualify for the semi-final stage.
The Groups
Groups 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)
Who are the reigning champions?
Express FC are the reigning holders of the cup. Shockingly, there are not part of the competition to defend their title.
Who are favourites?
Sudan’s Al Hilal, Kenya’s Gor Mahia, Rwanda’s APR, SC Villa from Uganda and Tanzania’s Coastal Union are the biggest favourites for the trophy but rule out Singida Black Stars at your own peril.
Former Interclub winners
There have been 15 former winners of the competition with Tanzania’s Simba and Kenya’s AFC Leopards having the most titles – 6.
Other winners are Young Africans (Tanzania), Kenya’s Tusker with 5 titles each. SC Villa (Uganda), APR (Rwanda), Al Merriekh (Sudan) and Gor Mahia on three titles each, then KCCA(Uganda), Azam (Tanzania) and defunct Re-Union FC on two titles each.
The other winners, all one time are Uganda’s Express FC and Police, Rayon Sport of Rwanda and Atraco as well as Burundi’s Vital’O.
Who are the big names missing?
Simba, Young Africans, Al Merriekh, Azam, reigning champions Express are all not available for the 2024 edition.
Key Tournament dates
The tournament kicks off on Tuesday July 9 and the final will be played on Sunday July 21, 2024.
The semi-finals will be played on July 19, 2024.
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