After a seven-year absence from Rwanda, CECAFA Kagame Cup returns to the nation, with the 2026 version set to kick off on Friday, July 24, and run till August 4.
Rwanda can be represented by two golf equipment together with league champions APR FC and runners-up Rayon Sports activities.
Established in 1974 by the Council for East and Central Africa Soccer Associations (CECAFA), the event was rebranded as CECAFA Kagame Cup in 2002 after President Paul Kagame turned its sponsor. The competitors has since served as each a logo of regional unity and an vital supply of economic assist for soccer in East and Central Africa.
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Holders Singida Large Stars can be looking for to retain the trophy, whereas Rwanda's representatives hope to capitalise on dwelling benefit and finish the nation's lengthy wait for an additional title.
Occasions Sport breaks down all the things it’s essential to know forward of the event.
The event format
The 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup options 12 groups divided into three teams of 4.
The three group winners, along with the best-performing runner-up, will advance to the semi-finals. The event will then enter the knockout stage, with the semi-final winners assembly within the ultimate to find out the regional champion.
Teams
Group A: APR FC (Rwanda), Vipers SC (Uganda), Gor Mahia (Kenya) and FC Garde Republicaine (Djibouti).
Group B: Singida Large Stars (Tanzania), Simba SC (Tanzania), Jamus (South Sudan) and Mogadishu Metropolis (Somalia).
Group C: Al Hilal SC (Sudan), Rayon Sports activities (Rwanda), Tusker FC (Kenya) and KVZ SC (Zanzibar).
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Rwanda's report within the competitors
Rwandan golf equipment have loved a powerful historical past within the CECAFA Kagame Cup, profitable the regional competitors 5 occasions.
Rayon Sports activities turned the primary Rwandan membership to carry the trophy in 1998 after defeating Zanzibar's Mlandege 2-1 within the ultimate.
APR FC is Rwanda's most profitable membership within the competitors, having received the title thrice—in 2004, 2007 and 2010.
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The third Rwandan membership to win the competitors was ATRACO FC, which claimed the title in 2009 after defeating Sudanese giants Al-Merrikh 1-0 within the ultimate.
The latest sturdy efficiency by a Rwandan aspect got here in 2024, when APR FC completed as runners-up after shedding to Zambia's Crimson Arrows within the ultimate.
Half-time leisure
Followers attending the event will even be handled to leisure throughout half-time, with Rwandan artists and DJs anticipated to carry out all through the competitors.
In keeping with Rwanda Soccer Federation (FERWAFA) Competitions Commissioner Want Niyitanga, leisure actions will start early every matchday to maintain followers engaged between video games.
“Every day can be internet hosting two video games, however early at 12pm venues can be open to welcome followers. Which means that they will't keep unentertained. We can be having artists to drag up a present as time goes on,” Niyitanga stated.
Prize cash
The winners of CECAFA Kagame Cup will obtain USD 30,000 (roughly Rwf40 million), whereas the runners-up will pocket USD 20,000 (roughly Rwf29 million).
The third-placed workforce will obtain USD 10,000, equal to roughly Rwf14 million.
Along with President Kagame's position because the event's patron and sponsor, Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman have injected USD 30,000 into CECAFA Kagame Cup by way of a landmark three-year sponsorship settlement geared toward strengthening the competitors's monetary stability and profile.
The sponsorship marks the primary time a taking part membership has instantly sponsored the regional event.
Methods to observe CECAFA Kagame Cup
Followers unable to attend matches at Amahoro Stadium and Kigali Pele Stadium, the 2 venues internet hosting the event, could have a number of choices to observe the motion.
The matches can be broadcast on Azam TV, whereas the Rwanda Broadcasting Company (RBA) can be anticipated to stream some video games dwell, in line with Niyitanga.
