CECAFA

The CECAFA Club Competitions, also known as the CECAFA Club Cup, is an annual football club tournament that takes place in the East and Central African region. The competition is organized by the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), which was founded in 1927.

History of the CECAFA Club Competitions

The CECAFA Club Competitions were first held in 1967, and have been held annually ever since. The inaugural tournament was won by the Ugandan club, Express FC. Since then, the tournament has grown in popularity and now features some of the best football clubs from the region.

The competition has undergone various format changes over the years, with the number of teams participating and the number of matches played varying from year to year. The current format of the tournament features a group stage followed by knockout rounds.

Top Scorers in the CECAFA Club Competitions

Several players have made their mark on the CECAFA Club Competitions, with impressive goal-scoring records. The top scorer in the history of the tournament is Abdalla Safari, who scored 16 goals for the Tanzanian club, Simba SC, in the 1970s and 80s.

Other notable top scorers in the tournament include Meddie Kagere from Rwanda, who has scored 15 goals in the competition, and John Baraza from Kenya, who scored 13 goals in the early 2000s.

Notable Clubs in the CECAFA Club Competitions

Over the years, the CECAFA Club Competitions have seen some of the best football clubs from the region compete for the title. Some of the most notable clubs that have participated in the tournament include:

1. Simba SC (Tanzania) – The club has won the tournament a record seven times, with their most recent win coming in 2018.

2. Gor Mahia FC (Kenya) – The club has won the tournament a record six times, with their most recent win coming in 2019.

3. Express FC (Uganda) – The club won the inaugural tournament in 1967 and has won it a total of five times.

4. AFC Leopards (Kenya) – The club has won the tournament five times, with their most recent win coming in 1998.

5. Yanga SC (Tanzania) – The club has won the tournament four times, with their most recent win coming in 2012.

Future of the CECAFA Club Competitions

The CECAFA Club Competitions continue to attract top clubs from the East and Central African region, and the future of the tournament looks bright. The competition provides a platform for clubs to showcase their talent and compete against some of the best teams from the region.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of sponsorship deals for the tournament, which is a positive sign for the growth and development of football in the region. With the support of sponsors and the continued participation of top clubs, the CECAFA Club Competitions look set to continue for many years to come.