SC Villa drawn in Group C for CECAFA Kagame Cup 2024

The draws for the 2024 CECAFA Kagame Cup were conducted on Wednesday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with 12 participating clubs divided into three groups of four teams each.

SC Villa has been placed in Group C alongside APR FC from Rwanda, Singida Black Stars FC from Tanzania, and El Merriekh Bentiu from South Sudan.

Group A features Coastal Union FC from Tanzania, Al Wadi from Sudan, JKU FC from Zanzibar, and Dekadeha FC from Somalia. Meanwhile, Group B consists of Al Hilal from Sudan, Gor Mahia from Kenya, Red Arrows FC from Zambia, and Telecom FC from Djibouti.

The top teams from each group, along with the best-placed second-place finisher, will advance to the semifinals of the tournament. The matches will be held at the Azam Complex in Chamazi and the KMC Stadium in Kinondoni between July 9th and 21st, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

The groups have been evenly balanced, with Group C looking particularly tough on paper, featuring two former champions SC Villa and APR FC.

Surprisingly, Express FC have been left out of the tournament due to significant budgetary constraints.

Defending champions received a letter from the CECAFA organizing committee regretting to inform them that they would not be included in this year's tournament in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

“On behalf of the organizing committee of the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2024, I regret to inform you that you’re your team has not been included in this year's tournament in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania,” the letter read

The letter cited logistical and financial limitations as the reasons for downsizing the tournament from 16 teams to 12. Despite acknowledging the club's outstanding performance and sportsmanship, CECAFA expressed their inability to accommodate the team's participation this year.

“We understand the disappointment this may cause for your team, its players, staff, and supporters. Your club has demonstrated outstanding performance and sportsmanship, and we deeply regret that we are unable to accommodate your participation this year.”

CECAFA has assured Express of their value to the tournament and looks forward to their participation in future editions.

“Thank you for your understanding and support during this challenging time. We hope to see your team competing in our tournament again soon,” the letter ended.

The last time the regional tournament was held in 2021 in Dar es Salaam, Uganda's Express beat Nyasa Big Bullets FC from Malawi 1-0. The Jogoos will be looking to replicate this success and bring home the title.

Group Standings

Group A: Coast Union FC, Al Wadi FC, JKU SC, Dekedaha FC

Group B: Al Hilal, Gor Mahia FC, Red Arrows FC, Djibouti Telecom FC

Group C: SC Villa, APR FC, Singida Black Stars FC, El Merriekh Bentiu