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CECAFA Cup
Organiser(s)CECAFA
Founded1926
RegionAfrica
Teams9
Current champions Uganda (40 title)
Most championships Uganda (40 titles)
Websitececafaonline.com
2024 CECAFA Cup

The CECAFA Cup, formerly the Gossage Cup (1926–1966) and the East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup (1967–1971), is the oldest football tournament in Africa. It is organized by the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations

Cup history

[edit]

There is an anomaly on national teams in the case of Tanzania. It fields two teams, Tanzania and Zanzibar. In 2005 and 2006, the tournament was sponsored by the Ethiopian-Saudi businessman Sheikh Mohammed Al Amoudi, and was dubbed the Al Amoudi Senior Challenge Cup.[1]

It is the successor competition of the Gossage Cup, held 37 times from 1926 until 1966, and the East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup, held between 1967 and 1971.

In August 2012, CECAFA signed a sponsorship deal worth US$450,000 with East African Breweries to have the cup renamed to the CECAFA Tusker Challenge Cup.[2]

Previous winners

[edit]

Gossage Cup (1926–1966) and Challenge Cup (1967–1971)

[edit]

The Gossage Cup and Challenge Cup was contested between Kenya, Uganda, Tanganyika and Zanzibar (Only in 1953 Ruanda-Urundi was competed too). The first match was played between the Kenyan and Ugandan national teams in May 1926, with Kenya winning 2–1 in a replay.[3][4] Tanganyika participated since 1945 and Zanzibar since 1949. The tournament was sponsored by the soap manufacturer Gossage, owned by the British Lever Brothers. In 1967, the competition was renamed to the East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup.[5]

CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup

[edit]

With the formation of CECAFA in 1973, the tournament was renamed to the CECAFA Cup. For the 2021 edition, the tournament was renamed the CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup, and has reverted to CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup afterwards again.

Key
† Tournament not held or not officially recognised
‡ Title was shared between both teams competing in the final / Match was won on a penalty shootout
# Year Host Final Third place play-off Teams
Winners Score Runners-up Third place Score Fourth place
Gossage Cup
1 1926  Kenya  Kenya 2–1  Uganda Only 2 teams 2
— 1927
Not held due to hosting dispute†
2 1928  Uganda  Uganda 4–0 or 1–0  Kenya Only 2 teams 2
3 1929  Kenya  Uganda 5–3  Kenya Only 2 teams 2
4 1930  Uganda  Uganda 5–0  Kenya Only 2 teams 2
5 1931  Kenya  Kenya 2–1  Uganda Only 2 teams 2
6 1932  Uganda  Uganda 13–1  Kenya Only 2 teams 2
— 1933
Not held†
— 1934
Not held†
7 1935  Uganda  Uganda 5–1  Kenya Only 2 teams 2
8 1936  Kenya  Uganda 3–1  Kenya Only 2 teams 2
9 1937  Uganda  Uganda 9–5  Kenya Only 2 teams 2
10 1938  Kenya  Uganda 3–1  Kenya Only 2 teams 2
11 1939  Uganda  Uganda 5–2  Kenya Only 2 teams 2
12 1940  Kenya  Uganda 6–3  Kenya Only 2 teams 2
13 1941  Uganda  Kenya 4–3  Uganda Only 2 teams 2
14 1942  Kenya  Kenya 4–3  Uganda Only 2 teams 2
15 1943  Uganda  Uganda 2–1  Kenya Only 2 teams 2
16 1944  Kenya  Kenya 2–1  Uganda Only 2 teams 2
17 1945  Uganda  Uganda 4–1  Kenya  Tanganyika Only 3 teams 3
18 1946  Kenya  Kenya 2–1  Uganda  Tanganyika Only 3 teams 3
19 1947  Tanganyika  Uganda 4–2  Tanganyika  Kenya Shared  Zanzibar[1] 4
20 1948  Uganda  Uganda 2–1  Kenya  Tanganyika Shared  Zanzibar[1] 4
21 1949  Zanzibar  Tanganyika 2–0  Kenya  Uganda Shared  Zanzibar[1] 4
22 1950  Kenya  Tanganyika 2–1  Kenya  Uganda Shared  Zanzibar[1] 4
23 1951  Tanganyika  Tanganyika 3–2  Kenya  Uganda Shared  Zanzibar[1] 4
24 1952  Uganda  Uganda 6–3  Kenya  Tanganyika Shared  Zanzibar[1] 4
25 1953  Zanzibar  Kenya 6–2  Uganda  Tanganyika Shared  Zanzibar[1] 5
26 1954  Kenya  Uganda 4–1  Kenya  Tanganyika Shared  Zanzibar[1] 4
27 1955  Tanganyika  Uganda 5–1  Tanganyika  Kenya Shared  Zanzibar[1] 4
28 1956  Uganda  Uganda 3–2  Kenya  Zanzibar 3–2  Tanganyika 4
29 1957  Zanzibar  Uganda 2–1  Kenya  Tanganyika Shared (3–3)  Zanzibar 4
30 1958  Kenya  Kenya Round robin  Uganda  Tanganyika Round robin  Zanzibar 4
31 1959  Tanganyika  Kenya Round robin  Zanzibar  Tanganyika Shared  Uganda 4
32 1960  Uganda  Kenya Shared  Uganda  Tanganyika Round robin  Zanzibar 4
33 1961  Kenya  Kenya Round robin  Tanganyika  Uganda Round robin  Zanzibar 4
34 1962 various venues  Uganda Round robin  Tanganyika  Kenya Round robin  Zanzibar 4
35 1963  Kenya  Uganda Round robin  Kenya  Tanganyika Round robin  Zanzibar 4
36 1964  Tanzania  Tanzania Round robin  Kenya  Uganda Round robin  Zanzibar 4
37 1965  Uganda  Tanzania Round robin  Kenya  Uganda Round robin  Zanzibar 4
38 1966  Zanzibar  Kenya Round robin  Uganda  Tanzania Round robin  Zanzibar 4
Challenge Cup
39/1 1967  Kenya  Kenya Round robin  Uganda  Zanzibar Round robin  Tanzania 4
40/2 1968  Tanzania  Uganda Round robin  Kenya  Tanzania Round robin  Zanzibar 4
41/3 1969  Uganda  Uganda Round robin  Tanzania  Kenya Round robin  Zanzibar 4
42/4 1970  Zanzibar  Uganda Round robin  Tanzania  Zanzibar Round robin  Kenya 4
43/5 1971  Kenya  Kenya Round robin  Uganda[2]  Tanzania[2] Round robin  Zanzibar 4
CECAFA Cup
44/1 1973  Uganda  Uganda 2–1  Tanzania  Kenya Shared  Zambia[1] 6
45/2 1974  Tanzania  Tanzania 1–1*[A]  Uganda  Zambia Shared  Zanzibar[1] 6
46/3 1975  Zambia  Kenya 0–0*[B]  Malawi  Tanzania Shared  Uganda[1] 6
47/4 1976  Zanzibar  Uganda 2–0  Zambia  Kenya Shared  Malawi[1] 7
48/5 1977  Somalia  Uganda 0–0*[C]  Zambia  Malawi 2–1  Kenya 7
49/6 1978  Malawi  Malawi 3–2  Zambia  Kenya 2–0  Uganda 5
50/7 1979  Kenya  Malawi 3–2  Kenya  Tanzania 2–1  Zanzibar 7
51/8 1980  Sudan  Sudan 1–0  Tanzania  Malawi 1–0  Zambia 7
52/9 1981  Tanzania  Kenya 1–0  Tanzania  Zambia 1–0  Uganda 8
53/10 1982  Uganda  Kenya 1–1*[D]  Uganda  Zimbabwe 3–0  Zanzibar 7
54/11 1983  Kenya  Kenya 1–0  Zimbabwe  Uganda 2–1  Malawi 9
55/12 1984  Uganda  Zambia 0–0*[E]  Malawi  Uganda 3–1  Kenya 8
56/13 1985  Zimbabwe  Zimbabwe 2–0  Kenya  Malawi 3–1  Uganda 6
— 1986
Not held (initially Somalia but later withdrew)
57/14 1987  Ethiopia  Ethiopia 1–1*[F]  Zimbabwe  Uganda 2–0  Zanzibar 7
58/15 1988  Malawi  Malawi 3–1  Zambia  Kenya 0–0*[G]  Zimbabwe 8
59/16 1989  Kenya  Uganda 3–3*[H]  Malawi  Kenya 1–0  Zambia 8
60/17 1990  Zanzibar  Uganda 2–0  Sudan  Tanzania 2–1  Zanzibar 7
61/18 1991  Uganda  Zambia 2–0  Kenya  Uganda 3–1  Sudan 7
62/19 1992  Tanzania  Uganda 1–0  Tanzania B  Zambia 4–0  Malawi 9
— 1993
Not held (Initially Uganda but later withdrew)
63/20 1994  Kenya  Tanzania 2–2*[I]  Uganda  Kenya 1–0  Eritrea 8
64/21 1995  Uganda  Zanzibar 1–0  Uganda B  Kenya 2–1  Ethiopia 8
65/22 1996  Sudan  Uganda 1–0  Sudan B  Sudan 1–1*[K]  Kenya 7
— 1997
Not held (CECAFA suspended)
— 1998
66/23 1999  Rwanda  Rwanda B 3–1  Kenya  Rwanda 0–0*[L]  Burundi 12
67/24 2000  Uganda  Uganda 2–0  Uganda B  Ethiopia 1–1*[M]  Rwanda 9
68/25 2001  Rwanda  Ethiopia 2–1  Kenya  Rwanda 1–0  Rwanda B 11
69/26 2002  Tanzania  Kenya 3–2  Tanzania  Rwanda 2–1  Uganda 10
70/27 2003  Sudan  Uganda 2–0  Rwanda  Kenya 2–1  Sudan 8
71/28 2004  Ethiopia  Ethiopia 3–0  Burundi  Sudan 2–1  Kenya 9
72/29 2005  Rwanda  Ethiopia 1–0  Rwanda  Zanzibar 0–0*[N]  Uganda 10
73/30 2006  Ethiopia  Sudan 0–0*[O]  Zambia  Rwanda 0–0*[P]  Uganda 11
74/31 2007  Tanzania  Sudan 2–2*[Q]  Rwanda  Uganda 2–0  Burundi 11
75/32 2008  Uganda  Uganda 1–0  Kenya  Tanzania 3–2  Burundi 10
76/33 2009  Kenya  Uganda 2–0  Rwanda  Zanzibar 1–0  Tanzania 12
77/34 2010  Tanzania  Tanzania 1–0  Côte d'Ivoire B  Uganda 4–3  Ethiopia 12
78/35 2011  Tanzania  Uganda 2–2*[R]  Rwanda  Sudan 1–0  Tanzania 12
79/36 2012  Uganda  Uganda 2–1  Kenya  Zanzibar 1–1*[S]  Tanzania 12
80/37 2013  Kenya  Kenya 2–0  Sudan  Zambia 1–1*[T]  Tanzania 12
— 2014
Not held (initially Ethiopia but later withdrew) §
81/38 2015  Ethiopia  Uganda 1–0  Rwanda  Ethiopia 1–1*[U]  Sudan 12
— 2016
Not held (initially Sudan, then Kenya but both later withdrew) ≠
82/39 2017  Kenya  Kenya 2–2*[V]  Zanzibar  Uganda 2–1  Burundi 9
— 2018
Not held (initially Zanzibar, then Kenya but both later withdrew)[6]
83/40 2019  Uganda  Uganda 3–0  Eritrea  Kenya 2–1  Tanzania 9
— 2020
Cancelled (Due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup
84/1 2021  Ethiopia  Tanzania 0–0*[W]  Burundi  South Sudan 1–0  Kenya 9
CECAFA Cup
85/41 2024

§ The 2014 CECAFA Cup would have been the 38th edition of the Cup. It was scheduled to take place in Ethiopia from 24 November to 9 December,[7][8] but the nation withdrew from hosting the tournament in October due to "domestic and international engagements",[9] according to CECAFA secretary-general Nicholas Musonye. Musonye also announced that Sudan as one of the countries that could have replaced Ethiopia as the hosts of the tournament.[10] After none of the 12 member nations of CECAFA expressed an interest in hosting the tournament on short notice, it was announced on 27 November that CECAFA had cancelled the competition. Rwanda hosted the 2015 edition of the competition.[11]
≠ The 2016 CECAFA Cup was to be the 39th edition of the annual CECAFA Cup. In September 2016, it was confirmed that Kenya would host the tournament.[12] Originally, it was slated to be hosted in Sudan.[13] In November 2016, Kenya announced they are not ready to host the tournament and CECAFA officials are looking to persuade Sudan to take over as hosts.[14] In December 2016, CECAFA announced the 2016 edition of the tournament will be canceled.[15]

Notes

[edit]
  • 1 ^ – From 1945 to 1955 and 1973 to 1976 there was no third place play-off and both teams eliminated in the semi-finals were acknowledged as the third-placed team.
  • 2 ^ – In 1971 2nd place shared between Uganda and Tanzania.
  • A ^ – Score was 1–1 after 90 minutes. Tanzania won the shoot-out 5–3.
  • B ^ – Score was 0–0 after 90 minutes. Kenya won the shoot-out 4–3.
  • C ^ – Score was 0–0 after 90 minutes. Uganda won the shoot-out 5–3.
  • D ^ – Score was 1–1 after 90 minutes. Kenya won the shoot-out 4–3.
  • E ^ – Score was 0–0 after 90 minutes. Zambia won the shoot-out 3–0.
  • F ^ – Score was 1–1 after 90 minutes. Ethiopia won the shoot-out 5–4.
  • G ^ – Score was 0–0 after 90 minutes. Kenya won the shoot-out 3–2.
  • H ^ – Score was 3–3 after 90 minutes. Uganda won the shoot-out 2–1.
  • I ^ – Score was 2–2 after 90 minutes. Tanzania won the shoot-out 4–3.
  • K ^ – Score was 1–1 after 90 minutes. Sudan won the shoot-out 5–4.
  • L ^ – Score was 0–0 after 90 minutes. Rwanda won the shoot-out 3–2.
  • M ^ – Score was 1–1 after 90 minutes. Ethiopia won the shoot-out 5–3.
  • N ^ – Score was 0–0 after 90 minutes. Zanzibar won the shoot-out 5–4.
  • O ^ – Score was 0–0 after 90 minutes. Zambia won the shoot-out 11–10, but Sudan were given the title as Zambia were invited as guests.
  • P ^ – Score was 0–0 after 90 minutes. Rwanda won the shoot-out 4–2.
  • Q ^ – Score was 2–2 after 90 minutes. Sudan won the shoot-out 4–2.
  • R ^ – Score was 2–2 after 90 minutes. Uganda won the shoot-out 3–2.
  • S ^ – Score was 1–1 after 90 minutes. Zanzibar won the shoot-out 6–5.
  • T ^ – Score was 1–1 after 90 minutes. Zanzibar won the shoot-out 6–5.
  • U ^ – Score was 1–1 after 90 minutes. Ethiopia won the shoot-out 4–3.
  • V ^ – Score was 2–2 after 120 minutes. Kenya won the shoot-out 3–2.
  • W ^ – Score was 0–0 after 120 minutes. Tanzania won the shoot-out 6–5.

Summary

[edit]
Main article: CECAFA

FIFA A-level matches (A-level match rule). FIFA (B teams results, Ruanda-Urundi results, Rwanda results before 1978, Burundi results before 1972, All of Zanzibar results, Kenya results before 1960, Uganda results before 1960 and Tanzania results before 1964) are not counted as A-level match (All of them are unofficial before membership in FIFA). But this table consist of all matches.

1926–1966

[edit]
Rank Team Part Top4 Pld W D L GF GA Dif Pts
1  Uganda 38 38 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
2  Kenya 38 38 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
3  Tanzania 22 22 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
4  Zanzibar 20 20 41 4 4 33 37 141 –104 16
24 Ruanda-Urundi 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 9 –8 0

1967–1971

[edit]
Rank Team Part Top4 Pld W D L GF GA Dif Pts
1  Uganda 5 5 15 11 2 2 31 10 +21 35
2  Kenya 5 5 15 7 3 5 32 18 +14 24
3  Tanzania 5 5 15 5 4 6 22 25 –3 19
4  Zanzibar 5 5 15 2 1 12 10 41 –31 7

1973–2019

[edit]
Rank Team Part Top4 Pld W D L GF GA Dif Pts
1  Uganda 38 32 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
2  Kenya 37 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
3  Tanzania 36 15 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
4  Zanzibar 35 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
6  Ethiopia 25 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
7  Malawi 21 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
8  Sudan 26 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
9  Zambia 21 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
10  Zimbabwe 11 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
11  Rwanda 23 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
12  Rwanda B 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
13  Burundi 14 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
15  Eritrea 10 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 +0 0
5  Somalia 25 0 76 6 8 62 34 191 –157 26
23  Uganda B 2 2 10 7 0 3 13 8 +5 21
14  Ivory Coast B 1 1 6 4 0 2 7 3 +4 12
20  South Sudan 4 0 13 2 3 8 7 22 –15 9
22  Tanzania B 1 1 5 2 2 1 5 2 +3 8
21  Sudan B 1 1 5 2 1 2 4 4 +0 7
18  Libya 1 0 4 1 3 0 1 0 +1 6
17  Kenya B 2 0 6 1 1 4 3 8 –5 4
16  Djibouti 11 0 35 0 2 33 19 139 –120 2
19  Seychelles 2 0 6 0 0 6 5 16 –11 0

Medals (1926–2023)

[edit]
RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 Uganda (UGA)40161571
2 Kenya (KEN)21311365
3 Tanzania (TAN)9121738
4 Ethiopia (ETH)4026
5 Malawi (MAW)33410
6 Sudan (SUD)3339
7 Zambia (ZAM)25512
8 Rwanda (RWA)16411
9 Zanzibar (ZAN)121720
10 Zimbabwe (ZIM)1214
11 Burundi (BDI)0202
12 Eritrea (ERI)0101
 Ivory Coast (CIV)0101
14 South Sudan (SSD)0011
Totals (14 entries)858482251

Notes:

  1. From 1926 to 1944 there was no 3rd place because of only 2 teams.
  2. From 1947 to 1955 there was no 3rd place match and 3rd place shared.
  3. 1957 and 1959 third place shared.
  4. From 1973 to 1976 there was no 3rd place match and 3rd place shared.
  5. 1960 1st place shared.
  6. 1971 2nd place shared.

[16]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]

Sources

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

CECAFA Cup

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from Grokipedia
The CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, commonly known as the CECAFA Cup, is an annual international football tournament for senior men's national teams from East and n countries, organized by the (CECAFA). It is widely regarded as the oldest football competition on the African continent, having originated in 1926 as the Gossage Cup, initially contested between and . The tournament's roots trace back to the inter-territorial Gossage Cup, sponsored by British soap manufacturer William Gossage and limited to colonial teams from , , and later Tanganyika (present-day ) and starting in 1949. It evolved through several name changes, becoming the East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup in 1967 and adopting its current title in 1971 following the formal establishment of in 1966. Over the decades, the competition has expanded significantly, incorporating more nations as CECAFA's membership grew from its founding members—, , , and —to include , , , , , , , , and occasionally guest teams such as , , , and . The modern format typically features a group stage divided into two or more pools, followed by semifinals and a final, with matches hosted on a rotational basis across member nations; the 2024 edition was scheduled for from June 29 to July 14 but was canceled due to scheduling conflicts. Tournaments have occasionally been adapted, such as the 2021 under-23 version due to logistical challenges, but the senior competition remains the flagship event. Despite interruptions in years like 1986, 1993, 1997–1998, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020–2024, and the 2025 edition canceled due to inadequate preparation, owing to political instability, organizational issues, or global events like the , the cup has been held 84 times since 1926 (with 85 titles due to a shared win in ). Uganda holds the record for most titles with 40 wins (including one shared), followed by Kenya with 21 (one shared) and Tanzania with 9, underscoring the historical dominance of these three nations. The CECAFA Cup plays a crucial role in regional football development, serving as a platform for emerging talent, preparation for continental qualifiers like the , and fostering football infrastructure in the region. Recent editions, such as Uganda's 2019 victory over and Kenya's 2017 triumph against , highlight its ongoing competitiveness and cultural significance in East African sports.

History

Origins and early development (1926–1966)

The Gossage Cup, the precursor to the modern CECAFA Cup, was founded in 1926 as a biennial international football sponsored by the British soap manufacturer William Gossage and Sons Ltd., which donated the trophy in response to a request from the football associations of colonial and . Initially limited to matches between the national teams of these two British East African territories, the competition aimed to foster regional sporting ties under colonial administration. The inaugural edition took place in , , where the hosts defeated 2–1 in a replay following a 1–1 draw, marking the first international football victory for either side. From 1928 onward, the tournament transitioned to an annual format, though it faced interruptions, including the cancellation of the 1927 edition due to a hosting dispute between and , and the 1933 and 1934 events owing to logistical challenges in the region. Over its 37 editions through 1966, the Gossage Cup evolved from bilateral knockout matches to a more inclusive multi-team competition. Tanganyika (present-day ) joined in 1945, expanding participation to three teams and reflecting growing colonial integration in East African sports. entered in 1949, further broadening the field, with the format shifting toward round-robin play among the four territories by the mid-1950s, culminating in a full round-robin structure for the first time in 1958. Uganda emerged as the dominant force, securing 21 outright wins by 1966, including a shared title in 1960, underscoring its prowess in East African colonial-era football. The tournament's development was deeply intertwined with British colonial ties, as it promoted unity among administered territories like , , and Tanganyika, where football served as a tool for and cultural exchange under imperial oversight. Post-World War II independence movements, particularly in Tanganyika leading to its 1961 , began influencing participation by encouraging greater regional collaboration beyond colonial frameworks, though the Gossage Cup retained its pre-independence structure until later reforms.

Transition and expansion (1967–1972)

Following the conclusion of the Gossage Cup era in 1966, the tournament entered a transitional phase in 1967 with a to the East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup, signaling an intent to expand beyond its East African roots to incorporate central African nations and foster broader regional integration. This rebranding aimed to reflect growing ambitions for inclusivity, though early editions largely retained the core participants of , , , and while laying groundwork for future growth. The inaugural edition under the new name took place in Kenya, where the hosts defeated Uganda in the final to claim the title, underscoring Kenya's continued prominence in the competition. Uganda quickly asserted dominance in subsequent years, securing victories in (hosted in Tanzania, overcoming Kenya in the final), 1969 (hosted in Uganda, beating Tanzania), and 1970 (hosted in Zanzibar, defeating Tanzania). These successes highlighted Uganda's rising strength and the tournament's rotational hosting model, which promoted regional equity. In 1971, hosted in Kenya, the home side broke Uganda's streak by winning the final against them, further demonstrating the competitive balance among East African teams during this period. The era's editions, spanning five tournaments from 1967 to 1971, emphasized consistent annual play and modest format stability, with matches typically structured as a round-robin leading to a final. No edition occurred in 1972, as the focus shifted to organizational restructuring, culminating in the formal establishment of the for East and Central Africa Football Associations () and the relaunch of the competition as the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in 1973. This interlude facilitated the anticipated expansion, enabling greater involvement from central African associations in the modern phase.

Modern tournament and challenges (1973–present)

The CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup was launched in 1973 in , marking the formal establishment of the tournament under the governance of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (). This edition succeeded the earlier East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup and introduced a structured regional competition involving national teams from East and Central African associations. Key milestones in the include the allowance for by Tanzania's national team and Zanzibar's semi-autonomous squad, which has participated separately since 1992 due to Zanzibar's status as a non-FIFA member. Additionally, a U-23 variant of the tournament was introduced in 2021 to focus on youth development, held in as the inaugural CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup. A women's edition, the CECAFA Women's Championship, was reintroduced in 2016 after a 30-year hiatus, providing a parallel platform for female national teams in the region. Sponsorships have played a significant role in sustaining the tournament's operations during this period. In 2005 and 2006, Ethiopian-Saudi businessman Sheikh Mohammed Al Amoudi provided title sponsorship, renaming it the Al Amoudi Senior Challenge Cup to enhance visibility and funding. Subsequently, from 2012 onward, through its Tusker brand became the primary sponsor, injecting substantial financial support—initially around $450,000 annually—to cover logistics, prizes, and organization, helping to maintain the event's annual cadence. These partnerships underscored the tournament's evolution into a professionally backed regional fixture, though reliance on corporate funding has occasionally led to scheduling adjustments. The modern era has been marked by significant challenges, including format adaptations and external disruptions. The tournament has served as an important preparatory platform for teams aiming for the (AFCON), fostering regional rivalries such as the longstanding competition between and , which has dominated performances and heightened fan engagement. However, post-2019 editions faced severe irregularities: the 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the , disrupting the traditional schedule. Subsequent years saw further pauses owing to funding shortages and logistical issues, with no senior edition held from 2020 to 2023. The 2024 edition was officially cancelled in June 2024 amid ongoing financial constraints. The 2025 edition was also cancelled in June 2025 due to inadequate preparation time and persistent financial issues. These consecutive cancellations reflect ongoing organizational gaps, including outdated records on official platforms that hinder comprehensive historical documentation.

Tournament format

Participating associations

The CECAFA Cup primarily features national teams from the 12 member associations of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA): Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zanzibar.
AssociationCountry/RegionFIFA StatusYear Joined CECAFA
Burundi Football FederationBurundiFull member1998
Djibouti Football FederationDjiboutiFull member1994
Eritrean National Football FederationEritreaFull member1994
Ethiopian Football FederationEthiopiaFull member1967
Football Kenya FederationKenyaFull member1973 (founder)
Fédération Rwandaise de Football AssociationRwandaFull member1995
Somali Football FederationSomaliaFull member1995
South Sudan Football AssociationSouth SudanFull member2012
Sudan Football AssociationSudanFull member1973
Tanzania Football FederationTanzaniaFull member1973 (founder)
Federation of Uganda Football AssociationsUgandaFull member1973 (founder)
Zanzibar Football FederationZanzibarAssociate member (seeking full)1973 (founder, as separate entity)
Eleven of these associations hold full membership, enabling their teams to compete internationally, while maintains associate status within both and the (CAF), limiting its participation to regional tournaments like the CECAFA Cup. A notable special case is the dual representation by and , which has persisted since the 1964 union forming the United Republic of ; continues to field an independent team in the CECAFA Cup and secured its sole title in by defeating 1–0 in the final. Occasionally, guest teams from non-member nations are invited to enhance competition, such as d'Ivoire's B team in 2010, alongside others like , , and in various editions. Participation trends show consistent involvement from core East African teams—Kenya, , and —which have appeared in nearly all editions since 1967. In comparison, Somalia's entries have been infrequent, constrained by ongoing political instability, lack of training facilities, and internal federation conflicts that have led to multiple withdrawals. The scale of participation has evolved, with early modern editions (post-1967) featuring 4–5 teams, peaking at 12 in 1999, and recent tournaments averaging 8–10 entrants to balance competitiveness and logistics.

Competition rules and structure

The Senior Challenge Cup follows a standard tournament format consisting of a group stage followed by knockout rounds. Typically, 8 to 12 national teams from CECAFA member associations are divided into two groups of four or five teams each, where they compete in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals, with the winners proceeding to the final and the losers contesting a third-place match. Matches adhere to standard Laws of the Game, lasting 90 minutes with two 45-minute halves. In the group stage, ties result in a , but knockout matches, including semifinals and the final, proceed to 30 minutes of extra time if level, followed by penalty shootouts if necessary. (VAR) technology has not been routinely implemented until recent editions, relying instead on on-field officials. All games are played at neutral venues without home-and-away legs. Qualification is open to senior national teams (A or B squads) from the 11 member associations, with no preliminary external qualifiers required; the tournament often serves as preparation for continental events like the (AFCON). The tournament usually spans 10 to 14 days and is hosted on a rotational basis by member nations, traditionally in December or January, though scheduling can vary (e.g., the 2024 edition in from June 29 to July 14). Venues are selected within the host country, such as national stadiums in the capital. Over time, the format has seen variations: early editions often used bilateral matches or pure structures, while the 2021 edition shifted to an under-23 age limit (with up to three overage players permitted). The women's counterpart, first held in 1986 and reinstated in 2016, mirrors the men's structure but is shorter, typically featuring fewer teams in a condensed group and phase over 7 to 10 days.

Results

List of editions and finals

The CECAFA Cup has been held in 83 editions from 1926 to 2019, with no senior tournaments taking place from 2020 to 2025 due to organizational challenges; the 2021 edition was an under-23 version held in and won by , the 2024 and 2025 editions were cancelled. The following table details each senior edition, including the host nation, final result, third place (where contested), number of participating teams, and notable events. Data is compiled from official records.
YearHostFinalThird placeNumber of teamsNotes
1926KenyaKenya (2–1) Uganda—2First edition; Tanganyika and Zanzibar withdrew.
1928UgandaUganda (4–0) Kenya—2—
1929KenyaUganda (5–3 aet) Kenya—2—
1930UgandaUganda (5–0) Kenya—2—
1931KenyaKenya (2–1 aet) Uganda—2—
1932UgandaUganda (13–1) Kenya—2—
1935UgandaUganda (5–1) Kenya—2—
1936KenyaUganda (3–1) Kenya—2—
1937UgandaUganda (9–5) Kenya—2Held in May.
1938KenyaUganda (3–1) Kenya—2—
1939UgandaUganda (5–2) Kenya—2—
1940KenyaUganda (6–3) Kenya—2—
1941UgandaKenya (4–3) Uganda—2—
1942KenyaKenya (4–3) Uganda—2—
1943UgandaUganda (2–1) Kenya—2—
1944KenyaKenya (2–1) Uganda—2—
1945UgandaUganda (4–1) Kenya—3Tanganyika debuted.
1946KenyaKenya (2–1) Uganda—3—
1947TanganyikaUganda (4–2) Tanganyika—4—
1948UgandaUganda (2–1) Kenya—4—
1949ZanzibarTanganyika (2–0) Kenya—4—
1950KenyaTanganyika (2–1 replay) Kenya—4—
1951TanganyikaTanganyika (3–2) Kenya—4—
1952UgandaUganda (6–3) KenyaZanzibar4Third place match introduced.
1953ZanzibarKenya (6–2) Uganda—4—
1954KenyaUganda (4–1 replay) Kenya—4—
1955TanganyikaUganda (5–1) Tanganyika—4—
1956UgandaUganda (3–2) KenyaZanzibar4—
1957ZanzibarUganda (2–1) KenyaZanzibar and Tanganyika (shared)4Third place shared.
1958KenyaKenya Uganda—4Round-robin format.
1959TanganyikaKenya Zanzibar—4Round-robin format.
1960UgandaKenya and Uganda (shared)—4Round-robin; title shared after trophy disappearance.
1961KenyaKenya Tanganyika—4Round-robin format.
1962VariousUganda Tanganyika—4Multi-venue; Zanzibar withdrew.
1963KenyaUganda Kenya—4Round-robin format.
1964TanganyikaTanganyika Kenya—4—
1965UgandaTanzania Kenya—4—
1966ZanzibarKenya Uganda—4—
1967KenyaUganda (4–0) Kenya—6East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup era begins; round-robin leading to final.
1968TanzaniaUganda Kenya—6Round-robin format.
1969UgandaUganda Tanzania—6Round-robin format.
1970ZanzibarUganda Tanzania—6Round-robin format.
1971KenyaKenyaUganda and Tanzania (shared)6Round-robin; incomplete final data.
1973UgandaUganda (2–1) Tanzania—6Group stage introduced.
1974TanzaniaTanzania (1–1, 5–3 pen) Uganda—6—
1975ZambiaKenya (0–0, 5–4 pen) Malawi—6—
1976ZanzibarUganda (2–0) Zambia—6—
1977SomaliaUganda (0–0, 5–3 pen) ZambiaMalawi6Third place match played.
1978MalawiMalawi (3–2) ZambiaKenya5Third place match played.
1979KenyaMalawi (3–2) KenyaTanzania6Third place match played.
1980SudanSudan (1–0) TanzaniaMalawi6Third place match played.
1981TanzaniaKenya (1–0) TanzaniaZambia6Somalia withdrew.
1982UgandaKenya (1–1, 5–3 pen) UgandaZimbabwe6—
1983KenyaKenya (1–0) ZimbabweUganda7—
1984UgandaZambia (0–0, 3–0 pen) MalawiUganda6—
1985ZimbabweZimbabwe (2–0) KenyaMalawi6—
1987EthiopiaEthiopia (1–1, 4–3 pen) ZimbabweUganda7Malawi withdrew.
1988MalawiMalawi (3–1 aet) ZambiaKenya6—
1989KenyaUganda (3–3, 2–1 pen) MalawiKenya6—
1990ZanzibarUganda (2–0) SudanTanzania6—
1991UgandaZambia (2–0) KenyaUganda6—
1992TanzaniaUganda (1–0) Tanzania BZambia8B-team participation noted.
1994KenyaTanzania (2–2, 4–3 pen) UgandaKenya A8—
1995UgandaZanzibar (1–0) Uganda BKenya8B-team participation noted.
1996SudanUganda (1–0) Sudan BSudan6B-team participation noted.
1999RwandaRwanda B (3–1) KenyaRwanda A12B-team participation noted.
2000UgandaUganda (2–0) Uganda BEthiopia8B-team participation noted.
2001RwandaEthiopia (2–1) KenyaRwanda A9—
2002TanzaniaKenya (3–2) TanzaniaRwanda8—
2003SudanUganda (2–0) RwandaKenya6Tanzania and Ethiopia withdrew.
2004EthiopiaEthiopia (3–0) BurundiSudan8Renamed Amoudi Senior Challenge Cup.
2005RwandaEthiopia (1–0) RwandaZanzibar9—
2006EthiopiaZambia (0–0, 11–10 pen) SudanRwanda9Zambia as guest team; Sudan awarded trophy initially.
2007TanzaniaSudan (2–2, 4–2 pen) RwandaUganda9—
2008UgandaUganda (1–0) KenyaTanzania9—
2009KenyaUganda (2–0) RwandaZanzibar9—
2010TanzaniaTanzania (1–0) Ivory Coast BUganda12Eritrea absent.
2011TanzaniaUganda (2–2, 3–2 pen) RwandaSudan12Eritrea absent; Malawi and Zimbabwe invited as guests.
2012UgandaUganda (2–1) KenyaZanzibar12South Sudan debut; Djibouti absent; Malawi invited.
2013KenyaKenya (2–0) SudanZambia12Djibouti absent; Zambia invited.
2015EthiopiaUganda (1–0) RwandaSudan12Eritrea absent; Malawi invited.
2017KenyaKenya (2–2, 3–2 pen) ZanzibarUganda10Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan absent; Libya invited.
2019UgandaUganda (3–0) EritreaKenya11Rwanda, Ethiopia, and South Sudan absent; Congo-Kinshasa declined invitation.

Performance by nation

Uganda holds the record for the most titles in the Cup's history, with 40 wins across all eras (senior editions only), including one shared title, underscoring its unparalleled dominance since the tournament's in 1926. Of these, 15 victories have come in the modern era from 1973 onward, highlighting a resurgence in the post-2000 period where secured multiple triumphs, such as in 2008, 2012, 2015, and 2019. This success has fueled a prominent rivalry with neighboring , particularly in the early decades, where matches between the two often decided the champion. The 2021 under-23 edition is not included in senior title counts. Kenya follows as the second-most successful nation with 21 titles, including one shared, though its wins are concentrated in the pre-1985 period, with only seven in the modern era, the most recent being 2013. has claimed nine titles overall, four of which occurred after , including the 2010 edition, while , competing separately as a semi-autonomous entity, secured one victory in 1995. Other nations have achieved sporadic success, with winning four titles, all in the modern era; and each with three; and , , and each with two or one. Shared titles have occurred twice, in 1960 during the Gossage Cup era and another instance noted in historical records. The tournament's results reflect a strong East African emphasis, with over 95% of titles won by , , and , though Central African teams like experienced peaks in the late , winning consecutively in and 1979.
NationTitlesRunners-upThird places (modern era only)*
40 (1 shared)184
21 (1 shared)304
972
40Limited data
332
342
241
16Limited data
121
111
*Third place data is primarily available for the 1973–present era; earlier tournaments often recorded semi-final appearances instead.

Records and statistics

Most successful teams

holds the record for the most titles in the Cup's history, with 40 victories across all iterations of the tournament since 1926, including the Gossage Cup era. This dominance is highlighted by several notable streaks, such as five wins in the Gossage Cup period (– and 1935–1936) and three consecutive triumphs in the East and Central African Senior from 1968 to 1970. has also benefited significantly from home advantage, securing multiple titles on home soil, including in 1973, , , and , contributing to their overall unbeaten sequences in regional play during the late and early . With over 60 appearances, leads in participation, underscoring their consistent involvement and success. Kenya ranks second with 21 titles, one of which was shared, establishing early dominance particularly in the Gossage Cup from 1926 to 1955, where they claimed at least seven victories. Their record includes frequent podium finishes, with numerous third-place results across editions, reflecting sustained competitiveness despite intense rivalries, notably against in finals. Kenya's achievements are marked by strong performances in the tournament's formative years, contributing to the regional balance before Uganda's later surge. Tanzania has secured nine titles, including those under the Tanganyika banner, while holds one. 's 2010 victory stands out as a notable upset, as the hosts defeated 5–4 on penalties in the semifinals before edging Côte d'Ivoire 1–0 in the final via a penalty. 's lone triumph came in 1995, when they beat 's B team 1–0 in regular time but clinched the title on penalties as the host nation's primary squad was absent. Among shared records, the 1988 final between Malawi and Zambia, ending 3–1 after extra time, exemplifies a high-scoring decisive match in the modern CECAFA era.
TeamTotal TitlesNotable Streaks/Achievements
Uganda405 wins in Gossage era; 3 consecutive (1968–1970); multiple home titles
Kenya217 early wins (1926–1955); frequent third places
Tanzania92010 upset victory over Uganda
Zanzibar11995 penalty shootout win

Hosting records and attendance

Uganda has hosted the CECAFA Cup the most frequently, with 18 editions since the tournament's inception, followed by with 14 hostings and with 11 (including pre-independence editions as Tanganyika). Other notable hosts include (5 times), (4 times), and (3 times), reflecting a rotational system among member associations that has been in place since the tournament's early years to distribute organizational responsibilities. This rotation policy, formalized in the , aims to promote and infrastructure use across East and Central African nations, though it has occasionally led to logistical strains on less-resourced hosts. Key venues have varied by host country, with several stadiums recurring due to their capacity and centrality. In , in served as a primary venue for multiple editions, including 1995, 2000, and 2008, while Lugogo Stadium hosted games from 1973 through 2019. Kenya's in was central to tournaments in 1989 and 2009, accommodating group stages and knockouts. Tanzania's National Stadium in featured prominently in 2010 and 2011 editions, highlighting its role in modern hosting. These venues, often with capacities exceeding 20,000, underscore the tournament's reliance on national stadiums for regional accessibility. Attendance figures for the CECAFA Cup are inconsistently recorded, particularly before the , with gaps in official data limiting comprehensive analysis. In the , crowds peaked during high-profile matches, such as the 1991 final in , which drew over 20,000 spectators to , reflecting strong regional interest during that era's competitive rivalries. More recent editions show declining trends, influenced by security concerns and competing events; for instance, the tournament in averaged around 5,000 attendees per match amid logistical challenges. No reliable attendance data exists post-2019, exacerbating gaps in understanding fan engagement. Hosting challenges have periodically disrupted the tournament, including cancellations tied to financial and organizational issues. The 2024 edition was cancelled to allow teams preparation time for club competitions, but Ethiopia's withdrawal from hosting duties in related CECAFA events, such as the U-17 qualifiers, was explicitly due to financial constraints. The 2025 edition was scheduled to be hosted by from June 1 to 21 but was cancelled on June 4, 2025. No senior men's edition has been held since 2019 as of November 2025, highlighting ongoing uncertainties in the rotation process.
Host CountryNumber of Editions HostedExample Years
181973, 1982, 1984, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2008, 2012, 2019
141926, 1929, 1931, 1938, 1940, 1946, 1950, 1954, 1979, 1983, 1989, 1994, 2009, 2013
111947, 1951, 1955, 1959, 1964, 1974, 1981, 1992, 2002, 2007, 2010
51987, 2004, 2006, 2015, 2021
41980, 1996, 2003, 2007
31978, 1979, 1988

References

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  31. https://kawowo.com/2024/06/11/2024-cecafa-senior-challenge-cup-cancelled/
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