Sudan football: Nigeria pull out of CECAFA Under-17 Youth Championship (Bashir Cup)

Nigeria have pulled out of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) Under-17 competition, organisers have announced.

CECAFA secretary Nicholas Musonye said the young Eagles informed him of their withdrawal, citing other commitments in Europe.

Nigeria, who were one of the two guest nations in the competition, will now be replaced by Malawi, who had been put on standby.

The other guest side is Egypt.

Full story: Goal.com, Sunday, 16 August 2009 - Nigeria Pull Out Of CECAFA Under-17 Competition
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Further reading:

Sudan Watch: Sudan Football Association boss publicly shreds ...

In their own reaction, the NFF told the Sudan FA boss to take care ... The Nigeria Football Federation has lambasted the Sudan Football ... 

Click on labels here below for related reports and updates.

Sudan's Al Merreikh lost 3-2 to Zesco United in the CAF Champions League

Sudan's Al Merreikh suffered a shock home defeat when they lost 3-2 to Zesco United in Group A of the Champions League on Saturday.



Photo: A goal from Nigerian striker Endurance Idahor was not enough for Al Merreikh

Al Hilal of Sudan are now top of Group A with seven points at the halfway stage.

Zesco United and Kano Pillars are tied at second with four points each while Al Merreikh remain bottom of the table with one point.

Full story: BBC Sport 19:28 GMT, Saturday, 15 August 2009 20:28 UK - Zesco United stun Al Merreikh.

Click on labels here below for related footballing news and updates.

Sudan's El Merreikh v Zesco United of Zambia today at Khartoum Stadium

Despite a loss away to Al Hilal, the coach says Pillars will still top Group A and qualify for the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.

Goal.com report by Samm Audu, Saturday 15 Aug 2009:
Kano Pillars Coach Ivo Sajh Confident Of African Champions League Qualification

Nigeria's Kano Pillars lost their leadership of Group A on Friday night, when they were defeat 2-0 by hosts Al Hilal in Omdurman, but their coach, Ivo Sajh, has expressed confidence that his team will bounce back to finish top of the standings.

"Pillars will top the group," a confident Sajh told Goal.com

"Second place in the group will be between El Merreikh and Al Hilal. But after playing against both teams, El Merreikh are the better team.

"We will have our chance to avenge our defeat by Hilal in two weeks. I did not expect to lose to Al Hilal. But it's very difficult to win or a draw away from home."

Al Hilal took the lead in the 53rd minute, when Zimbabwean referee Merange Kenias awarded the home team a disputed penalty kick.

"I'm not a referee," insisted Sajh, when asked about the officiating.

"Everybody saw what happened and it was not good for football. We are a team of 11 players but we played against 14 players. These were the same referees who ensured that Al Hilal qualified for the group stage at the expense of Primeiro Agosto of Angola. All the best to referees in the future."

However, the Slovenian coach admitted his team only have themselves to blame for the second Al Hilal goal.

"The second goal was our own mistake. We did not cover the near post by the time the corner was taken. The scorer got a free header," said Sajh.

Pillars are now second in the table with four points from three matches, three adrift of new leaders Al Hilal.

The Nigerian club could slip further down the table if Sudan's El Merreikh win their home game against Zesco United of Zambia on Saturday at the Khartoum Stadium.

Click on label here below for previous reports and updates.

CAF Champions League 2009: Sudan's Al-Hilal and Nigeria's Kano Pillars go head to head today in Omdurman, Khartoum

Update: Click on 'CAF Champions League' label in footnote here below for latest news and results.

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Continental focus this weekend focuses on Sudan’s largest city, Omdurman which will be the centre of attraction as the group phase of the CAF Champions League enters the halfway mark with the day three matches.

Omdurman is also home to Sudan’s biggest clubs, Al-Merrikh and Al-Hilal.

Al-Hilal will host Kano Pillars of Nigeria in clash that will prove crucial to determining the winner of Group A at the Al-Hilal Stadium in Omdurman, whilst Al-Merrikh will be seeking to redeem their dwindling fortunes against Zesco United at the Al-Merrikh Stadium also in Omdurman.

This is the first time in the history of Sudanese football that the two biggest clubs are housed in the same group in their quest for the cherished prize in the continental club football.

Read full story at KICKOFF - SUDAN GIANTS TOP CHAMPS LEAGUE BILL - Friday, 14 August 2009.

CAF Champions League Preview: Pillars Want To Stand Tall In ...

Goal.com - ‎Aug 13, 2009‎

A result for Nigeria's Kano Pillars in Friday's CAF Champions League tie against Al Hilal could set them on the road to a place in the last four. ...

Pillars' Chigozie suspended for Al Hilal Champions League clash Triumph

Hilal and Kano go head to head BBC News

Injured Kano Pillars Skipper Bala Mohammed Resumes Training Goal.com

Goal.com - Goal.com

all 19 news articles »

Click on labels here below for related reports, fixtures and results.

CECAFA Under-17 Championship (Hassan el Bashir Cup) kicks off in Khartoum, Sudan 19th August, 2009

The second edition of the CECAFA U-17 Tournament, all games were originally to be played in Nairobi, Kenya but have since been moved to Sudan due to financial reasons. The Sudanese FA and El Merreikh Investment Group have agreed to sponsor the tournament.

The cup is also referred to as the Bashir Cup and the Hassan el Bashir Cup by East African media due to Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir's involvement.

Source: Wikipedia

News just in from Sudan Radio Service, Wednesday 12 August 2009:
Cecafa Under-17 Fixtures Announced

(Juba, Southern Sudan) – Fixtures for the Cecafa under-17 tournament that will kick off in Khartoum on 19 August have been announced.

There are twelve teams participating in this year's tournament.

Speaking to Sudan Radio Service from Juba, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Gabriel Changson Chang, said south Sudan is ready to host the tournaments.

[Changson Chang]: “The under-17 CECAFA championship is taking place in Sudan this year between 19th and 30th of this month and there will be three countries or teams and the three groups are divided into three areas. Group One will play in Juba. I think from the 19th for about nine days and then second group will be in Medani and the third group in Khartoum. The final will be played in Khartoum. Before we took the decision for Juba to host that group, the secretary of Cecafa paid a visit to Juba to check our stadium and pitches which he confirmed are suitable for the event. We have also opened four playgrounds for practices and then the main games will be played in the stadiums.”

Sudan is in group A and their first match will be on the 20th against Tanzania in Khartoum, and the second match against Somalia on the 22nd of this month.

Click on label CECAFA U-17 tournament in footnote below for news, fixtures and updates on footballing in Sudan.

Uganda/Sudan: Hippos to Be Based in Juba

AllAfrica.com - Andrew Jackson - ‎Aug 7, 2009‎

Kampala — Uganda's U-17 team, Hippos will be based in Juba, Sudan during the forthcoming Cecafa under -17 Challenge Cup (Hassan el Bashir Cup) that starts ...

Rwanda/Egypt: National Team Starts With Egypt in Cecafa U-17 Cup

AllAfrica.com - Ostine Arinaitwe - ‎8 hours ago‎

Kigali — The national Under-17 team will start their Cecafa Junior Challenge Cup campaign with a tricky test against Egypt. Rwanda is pooled in Group C ...

Kenyan teenagers pooled with Nigeria and Egypt for Cecafa

Daily Nation - Salva Kiir - ‎Aug 6, 2009‎

Both soccer powerhouses will be among the 12 teams that will take part in the two-week long championshipthat kicks off on August 19. ...

Uganda/Sudan: Hippos to Be Based in Juba AllAfrica.com

all 5 news articles »

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Hippos kick off with Kenya; Sekajugo on FIFA medical team

New Vision - Reuben Olita - ‎20 hours ago‎

uganda's Hippos will face Kenya in the first match of the CECAFA Under-17 soccer championships that kicks off in Juba, ...

Rwanda U-17 fine tune for Cecafa tourney

ThisDay - ‎Jul 29, 2009‎

RWANDA Under-17 national team head coach Michael Weiss is optimistic his youthful side can stage a strong challenge at next month's Cecafa Youth ...

Rwanda/Egypt: Junior Wasps Draw Egypt, Join Camp

AllAfrica.com - Bonnie Mugabe - ‎Aug 7, 2009‎

... Under-17 national team joined camp yesterday at Ferwafa headquarters to start final preparations for this month's Cecafa Youth Championship in Khartoum, ...

Twiga Stars need trials

ThisDay - Jimmy Tara - ‎Jul 27, 2009‎

... Rwanda next month, while Serengeti Boys have already started residential training for the Cecafa Youth Challenge Cup kicking off in Sudan on August 19.

Friday's all-important CAF Champions League clash against Sudan's Al Hilal

Update:  Click on label 'CAF Champions League' (in footnote here below) for latest news and results.

Photo: The coveted Champions League trophy (Source: football365.co.za)

Nigerian Premier League club Kano Pillars have revealed that they will play their upcoming CAF Champions League matches at night to accommodate Ramadan. Slovenian coach Ivo Sajh is confident his injured skipper Bala Mohammed will be ready for Friday's all-important CAF Champions League clash against Sudan's Al Hilal.

The Sudanese champions El Merreikh are bullish of their chances against their Zambian counterparts in this weekend's CAF Champions League clash.



Photo: El Merreikh F.C., Sudan (Source: Goal.com)

Ramadan runs from August 21 until September 21 and during that time both Zesco United and Al Hilal travel to Kano for Champions League fixtures.

See further details in latest news reports listed here below.

Photo:  Nigerian fan (Source: Goal.com)

Kano Pillars Sweat On Fitness Of Skipper Bala Mohammed

Goal.com - ‎57 minutes ago‎

Slovenian coach Ivo Sajh is confident his injured skipper will be ready for Friday's all-important CAF Champions League clash against Sudan's Al Hilal. ...

El Merreikh Confident Of Victory Versus Zambia's Zesco United

Goal.com - ‎1 hour ago‎

The Sudanese champions are bullish of their chances against their Zambian counterparts in this weekend's CAF Champions League clash. ...

CAF Champions League: Kano Pillars To Play Home Games At Night ...

Goal.com - ‎22 hours ago‎

The Nigerian club have a plan for their two home games in the CAF Champions League group stage, which will fall during the Muslim Ramadan fasting period. ...

CAF Champions League: Confident Kano Pillars Arrive In Sudan

Goal.com - ‎Aug 11, 2009‎

Nigeria's flag bearers fly into Khartoum ahead of the Champions League tie against closest rivals Al Hilal... A 35-man delegation of Nigeria's Kano Pillars ...

Night games on cards for Kano

Football365.co.za - ‎2 hours ago‎

Nigerian Premier League club Kano Pillars have revealed that they will play their upcoming CAF Champions League matches at night in order to accommodate ...

Zesco United Dealt Striking Blow

Lusaka Times - ‎19 hours ago‎

Zesco United have been dealt a big blow with the news that they will be without a key player for their Caf African Champions League Group A game against El ...

Kano Pillars cautions Zesco over El Merreikh match

postzambia.com - ‎Aug 10, 2009‎

NIGERIAN side Kano Pillars of Nigeria has cautioned Zesco United to be for Saturday's Africa Champions League Group A clash Sudanese side El Merreikh. ...

Pillars' Chigozie suspended for Al Hilal Champions League clash

Triumph - ‎Aug 10, 2009‎

Nigeria's Kano Pillars will be without their libero, Maurice Chigozie, for their all-important CAF Champions League Group A clash against Al Hilal of Sudan ...

All 8 related articles »

Fixtures of CECAFA U-17 football tournament in Sudan 19-31 Aug 2009

From Pana via Afrique en ligne, Wednesday, 12 August 2009:
Fixtures of Cecafa youth football tournament in Sudan

(Kenya) - Below are the fixtures for this month's Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) championships taking place in Sudan.

The regional event, known as the Cecafa U-17 tournament, is slated for 19-31 August in three Sudanese cities - Khartoum, Juba and Medani. It is being sponsored by Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir to the tune of US$ 700,000.

Aug. 19 - Ethiopia v Zanzibar (Juba 2.30pm); Kenya v Uganda (Juba 4.30pm).

Aug. 20 - Somalia v Nigeria (Khartoum 5.30pm); Sudan v Tanzania (Khartoum 9.30pm )

Aug. 21 - Zanzibar v Kenya (Juba 2.30pm); Uganda v Ethiopia (Juba 4.30pm).

Aug. 22 - Nigeria v Tanzania (Khartoum 5.30pm); Somalia v Sudan (Khartoum 9.30pm ),

Aug. 22 - Eritrea v Rwanda (Medani 5.30pm); Egypt v Burundi (Medani 9.30pm).

Aug. 23 - Kenya v Ethiopia (Juba 2.30pm); Zanzibar v Uganda (Juba 4.30pm).

Aug. 24 - Tanzania v Somalia (Khartoum 5.30pm); Sudan v Nigeria (Khartoum 9.30pm ).

Aug. 24 - Rwanda v Burundi (Medani 5.30pm); Eritrea v Egypt (Medani 9.30pm).

Aug. 25 - Rest Day.

Aug. 26 & 27 - Quarter finals

Aug. 28 & 29 - Semi finals (Khartoum).

Aug. 30 - Rest Day.

Aug. 31 - Third place play offs/Finals (Khartoum).

Click on labels here below for related reports and updates.

Uganda’s Under-17 football team prepares to compete in Sudan from August 19-31

From The Observer, Uganda by John Vianney Nsimbe, 10 August 2009:
National U-17 footballers face daunting task

Since finishing second at the Under-17 CECAFA Cup in 2007, Uganda’s Under-17 football team hasn’t been active. Richard Wasswa, the team’s coach suggests that it’s high time Uganda sets up regular under age competitions to keep the young players active.

As the team prepares to compete in this year’s tournament in Sudan from August 19-31, Wasswa told The Observer that without under age competitions, it becomes hard to spot players.

“The time has run out for us to start building a new team. It would have been easier if there were regular under age competitions where we would have spotted the best talent early on,” says Wasswa.

Wasswa concludes that it’s important that our young players get more competition so that they get experience before such major events. Guest teams like Nigeria and Egypt will grace this event. Uganda will be in group ‘B’ battling Kenya, Ethiopia and Zanzibar.

jovi@observer.ug

Sudan Football Association boss publicly shreds letter from Nigeria Football Federation

Kamal Shaddad has poured more salt into injury in the row between the Sudan FA and their Nigerian counterparts...

From Goal.com by Samm Audu, Thursday 06 August 2009:
Sudan FA Boss Publicly Shreds Letter From Nigerian Counterparts

The raging war between Sudan Football Association (SFA) and their Nigerian counterparts is not about to ease after SFA president, Kamal Shaddad, further showed his total disrespect for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) by publicly shredding a letter sent to his association in respect of disputed loan transfers by Sudanese club Al Hilal.

According to Wednesday's Sudanese sports newspaper, Al Sadda, Shaddad made a public display of putting into the shredder a letter signed by NFF secretary-general, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, in which the NFF dismissed as forgeries two request letters for the International Transfer Certificates of Ajibade Omolade and a Brazilian, Quarresma.

The newspaper quoted Shaddad as saying that he does not receive official correspondences by courier, but rather via email.

However, the newspaper questioned Shaddad's position, revealing that several emails from the NFF to the Sudan FA on this transfer disappeared from the system.

Shaddad had earlier dismissed the NFF as "not a credible organisation".

In their own reaction, the NFF told the Sudan FA boss to take care of his "dubious agents in Sudan". A formal protest letter to Shaddad was also fired to Sudan.

Local rivals El Merriekh have already protested against Al Hilal for parading DR Congo's Tshubi Kabundi and Edward Sadomba from Zimbabwe in their CAF Champions League Group A clash last month.

El Merriekh argue that these two players were registered for the competition after Al Hilal illegally got rid of Omolade and Quarresma.

Officials of Kano Pillars are set to protest against Al Hilal, should they use Sadomba in their Champions League match-up on August 14 in Khartoum. The Zimbabwean featured for Al Hilal in Wednesday's league match.

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Africa: Sudan FA is Fraudulent - NFF

AllAfrica.com - ‎Aug 4, 2009‎

The Nigeria Football Federation has lambasted the Sudan Football Association for its claims over a transfer scam involving Sudanese top club, Al Hilal FC. ...

Sudanese FA accuses NFF of dishonesty over Omolade's transfer

The Guardian - Nigeria - ‎Jul 31, 2009‎

... President of the Sudan Football Association (SFA), Kamal Shaddad, has lashed out at the NFF, accusing it of dishonesty. The Sudanese FA is blaming the ...

Sudan FA Blast Nigerian Counterparts As 'Not Credible'

Goal.com - ‎Jul 30, 2009‎

The president of the Sudan Football Association (SFA), Kamal Shaddad, has lashed out at the NigeriaFootball Federation (NFF) over the on-going transfer ...

Sudanese FA accuses NFF of dishonesty over Omolade's transfer The Guardian - Nigeria

all 6 news articles »

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NFF Bristles over Sudan FA Falsehood

THISDAY - ‎Aug 2, 2009‎

The Nigeria Football Federation has lambasted the Sudan Football Association for its claims over a transfer scam involving Sudanese top club, Al Hilal FC. ...

S. Sudan: Junior competition 4-8 Aug kicks off at Juba Football Stadium

A football tournament involving junior teams from all the ten states of Southern Sudan kicked off on Tuesday at Juba Football Stadium, South Sudan.

The final winning team will represent Southern Sudan in the East African secondary school sports competitions due to start at the end of this month in Uganda.

Another tournament for under 17's, where about 14 African countries will participate, is expected to begin on 19 August 2009 in Juba.



Photo: A team of young girls football players parading at Juba Football Stadium shortly before the matches began, August 4, 2009 (James G. Dak/ST)

Source: Sudan Tribune, Wednesday 5 August 2009 02:30 am, by James Gatdet Dak - South Sudan prepares for East African sports competitions:

August 4, 2009 (JUBA) – A football tournament involving teams from all the ten states of Southern Sudan kicked off on Tuesday in the semi-autonomous region’s capital, Juba.

The participants comprising boys and girls teams were drawn from various secondary schools in the region.

The Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Professor Job Dhuruai, said the final winning team would represent Southern Sudan in the East African secondary school sports competitions due to start at the end of this month in Uganda.

The four-day competitions from 4th to 8th August were opened by the Vice President Dr. Riek Machar who lit the torch, marking the beginning of the tournament.

It will be for the first time that Southern Sudan participates in the Kampala tournament that will witness participation of many countries in East Africa.

Another tournament for teenaged boys and girls under 17 years old, where about 14 African countries will participate, is also expected to begin on 19th August in Juba.

Sudan’s national capital, Khartoum and Wad Medani town in Northern Sudan are also selected to host a number of teams’ competitions.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Gabriel Changson Chang, has requested for an amount of 400,000 Sudanese pounds, which the cabinet has approved, to make necessary preparations for the Juba tournament.

Government of Southern Sudan has embarked on developing and promoting sports and cultural activities which it views as sectors of potential excellence for the region internationally.

CAF Champions League: Sudan's Al Hilal beat Zesco - Pillars beat El Merreikh 3-1

Sudanese giants Al-Hilal earned their first win of the group phase of the CAF Champions League with a lone goal victory of Zambian debutants Zesco United in Omdurman on Friday.

Kano Pillars of Nigeria, yesterday romped onto the top of Group A with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Sudan's El Merreikh at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano.



Photo source: Confederation of African Football (CAF), Saturday, 01 August 2009 - Al Hilal beat Zesco United for first win

See BBC Sport, Saturday, 1 August 2009 Hilal, Pillars win in Group A.

Champs League win for Al Hilal

BBC Sport - ‎Aug 1, 2009‎

Sudan's Al Hilal moved to the top of Group A of the African Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Zesco United of Zambia in Khartoum. ...

Al-Hilal beat Zesco in CAF Champions League Soccerway

Al Hilal beat Zesco United To Top Group (A) SOL

Zesco engage Al Hilal postzambia.com

The Guardian - Nigeria - Lusaka Times

all 12 news articles »

Click on CECAFA label here below for related reports on football in Sudan and latest updates.

African Champions League: El-Merrikh and El-Hilal drawing 0-0 in Omdurman, Sudan

Great footballing news from Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 20 July 2009:
Sudan teams Draw in Saturday's Champion League Match

(Khartoum) – The opening match of the African Champions League began on Saturday with El-Merrikh and El-Hilal drawing 0-0 at El-Merrikh stadium in Omdurman.

It was an exciting match for fans of both sides given the rivalry between the teams battling for soccer supremacy in the country. There was a heavy presence of anti-riot police in and around the stadium. A sport columnist for Al-Ayaam newspaper, Badr eL-Din el-Basha, described the match to Sudan Radio Service.

[Badri El-din El-Basha]: “I’m happy that El-Merrikh and El-Hilal have reached this level. This shows that Sudanese football has gone on to higher level. The two teams have not reached this stage easily; it comes from the efforts of the administration, the club members, the bench and so on. They began playing this match under pressure. It is clear there was pressure from the media, fans and administrators. You can see the first half was played in a bad mood – without concentration, they did not execute the plans of their respective coaches. Yesterday (Saturday) they were playing under pressure.”

The first half began with El-Hilal dominating possession, forcing El-Merrikh to play defensively until in the eighteenth minute when El-Merrikh’s striker Kletchi Osunwa made a dramatic attempt to score from outside the penalty box. His shot was saved by El-Hilal’s goalkeeper Muwiz Mahjoub. El-Hilal kept on their pressure up to half-time but failed to make an impression on the score.

El-Merrikh’s bench apparently changed tack and they dominated the second half but failed to score. Nevertheless, the match result is in Hilal’s favor since they were playing away in group A of the African Champions League trophy.

Click on 'CECAFA' label here below for previous news of footballing in Sudan.



Photo: Al Merreikh Stadium, Omdurman, Sudan (Merrikh - Red Castle/zerozerofootball.com)

Omdurman (Standard Arabic Umm Durmān أم درمان) is the largest city in Sudan and Khartoum State, lying on the western banks of the river Nile, opposite the capital, Khartoum. Omdurman has a population of over 3 million (2007) and is the national center of commerce. With Khartoum and Khartoum North or Bahri, it forms the cultural and industrial heart of the nation.

CLICK HERE TO SEE SOME PHOTOS OF OMDURMAN, JEBEL MARRA AND OTHER FASCINATING PLACES IN SUDAN

4 new Sudan Football Association branch offices have been opened in S. Sudan: Rumbek, Wau, Rajah and Aweil

Here is some encouraging news for football players in Sudan. The Chairman of southern Sudan’s Football Development Committee, Mr Andrea Abdallah, is calling on the Government of southern Sudan to support the efforts of the Sudan Football Association to rebuild football stadiums in the region.

Great news. From Sudan Radio Service, Tuesday, 14 July 2009:
South Seeks More Stadiums

(Khartoum) – Mr. Abdallah told Sudan Radio Service in Khartoum on Sunday that southern Sudan has the opportunity to host regional tournaments but the southern stadiums are not up to standard.

[Mr. Andrea Abdallah]: “We have a problem. In the whole of southern Sudan, the only stadium with a grass pitch is in Juba. We are calling on the leadership in Juba to help us build grass pitches. We want them to install lights in the stadiums of Wau, Juba and Malakal. And if we are able to build extra stadiums for the new football clubs around southern Sudan this will be of great benefit, rather than having just one stadium. With them, we can host tournaments. For instance, in 2011 there will be the African Cup of Nations for non-professionals. If we get such a chance we will have no problem hosting it in southern Sudan.”

The chairman said four new Sudan Football Association branch offices have been opened in southern Sudan. Rumbek, Wau, Rajah and Aweil are the first of ten offices which have are scheduled to open, to complement the existing ones in the region.

Let's hope that sponsors of football and sport in general take an interest in Sudanese athletes, players and sports venues enabling Southern Sudan to host 2011 African Cup of Nations for non-professionals. Incidentally, the Olympics in 2011 are to be held in London. I'm pleased to report that the huge amount of work involved is going very well and on time. The whole nation is looking forward to the event.

Click on CECAFA label here below to view previous reports on footballing in Sudan.

CECAFA invite Nigeria to participate in next month's U17 Championship in Khartoum and Juba in Sudan

The Council of East and Central African Football Associations, CECAFA, has invited Nigeria’s U-17 team to participate in next month’s U-17 championship to be staged in Khartoum and Juba in Sudan.

The Nigerians have won the world youth championships twice and their experience will spice up the regional tournament.

Source: Goal.com by James Momanyi, Monday, 13 July 2009:
CECAFA Invite Nigeria To U17 Championship

In a report posted on the CECAFA official website, secretary Nicholas Musonye said Nigeria had been invited so as to raise the standards of the game in the region.

“Nigeria have one of the best under-17 talent in the world. At this level, their football put the likes of Nwankwo Kanu, ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha and Sunday Oliseh on the world map. When Nigeria play in our tournament next month, they will be serving warning to youths in our region that football at this level is no ‘kids’ stuff,” said Musonye.

The CECAFA tournament kicks off in Sudan on August 12 after all the eleven CECAFA member countries assemble in Sudan. Musonye said that according to tentative plans, groups will be based in Khartoum and Juba but there is a possibility of placing the third group in another Sudanese city of Kessala.

It will be the first time ever that a major international sports event will take place in the semi-autonomous Sudanese region ravaged by war for decades. The Unity Government of Sudan has given CECAFA $400,000 towards hosting of the tournament and CAF (African Football Confederation) is also assisting.

Meanwhile CAF has openly praised CECAFA as the most active and efficient regional organisation in the continent. CAF is also pleased with CECAFA’s efforts to encourage co-operation between regional bodies.

After the conclusion of the CECAFA club championship on Sunday, the senior CECAFA championship that involves national teams in the region will take place in Kenya later in the year.

Organizations such as COSAFA (Confederation of Southern African Football Associations) and WAFU (West African Football Union) have lately halted their activities or discontinued them altogether, owing to financial and administrative problems.

Click on CECAFA label here below to read related news reports.

Football Without Borders - Sudan, Chad, DR Congo, Niger

Today, I received a newsletter message via Facebook from Jakob. The message inspired me to respond.  I think Jakob is part of a group of Niger watchers, namely @ Play31.  We've probably connected via my 'soccer and free footballs' postings at Niger Watch.  Here is a copy of Jakob's message and my reply.

From Jakob
Football Without Borders
Dear all,

As those of us who are in the northern hemisphere are enjoying the questionable weather of Nordic Summer, a new Play31 tournament is under way in Sierra Leone. Next weekend in Koindu Village in Eastern Sierra Leone, communities from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone will kick off the first tri-nation tournament.

We are very happy and proud to be able to reach out to communities in neighboring countries. The war in Sierra Leone knew no borders: refugees, rebels, arms, and diamonds spilled over the porous line that separates Sierra Leone from Guinea and Liberia and so it only makes sense that we at Play31 also work with “football without borders”. Of course, our objective remains the same: using footie to bring together people who have been torn apart by war.

Because of the generosity of so many of you in this group as well as the Clinton Foundation and a lot of UN Ambassadors, we now have money enough to include two very important aspects into our tournament: below 14-teams and shoes for all players.

Play31 is growing steadily at the moment and we hope to launch quite a few new initiatives soon. Among other things, we are right now setting up a Danish board in Denmark consisting of Danes. More information on all these exciting new projects will come soon so stay tuned.

With continued gratitude for your support and with love for the Beautiful Game,

Jakob and everyone @ Play31

- - -

Copy of my email reply re: Football Without Borders - Sudan

Dear Jakob, Football is a peaceful fun way for people of different cultures to get together, football games are a good thing. I would like to help focus on football in Sudan and, eventually, Chad, DR Congo. Please let me know how I can help using my blogs. Best wishes, Ingrid Jones, England, UK.

http://sudanwatch.blogspot.com
http://congowatch.blogspot.com

plus others on Uganda, Ethiopia, Niger, Kenya, Egypt.

PS  On completing my reply email to Jakob, I pressed SEND (at the Facebook site) but nothing happened. Repeated procedure. Same again. So I have no idea if my message has reached Jakob.

Hopefully this blog post will deliver the above message to Jakob.

Sudan's Al-Merrikh Through to CECAFA Final - In a Globalized World, Sports Emerges as a Force for Change

From Sudan Radio Service, Friday, 10 July 2009:
Al-Merrikh Through to CECAFA Final

Friday, 10 July 2009 – (Khartoum) – Sudan’s Al-Merrikh has qualified for the final of the CECAFA Club Championship after defeating Mazimbe of the Democratic Republic of Congo at home on Thursday night in the semi-finals. Final score 2- 1.

Mazimbe of the DRC scored their first goal in the 15th minute of the first half while Al-Merrikh Nigerian’s striker, Endurance Idahor, scored for Al-Merrikh in the second half, making both teams level at the final whistle.

An extra thirty minutes were added. Al-Merrikh’s Idahor scored the second and winning goal just minutes before the end of extra time.

Al-Merrikh, three times winner of the CECAFA cup, will play in the final on Sunday evening against the winner of the other semi-final match, between Mathare United of Kenya and Atraco of Rwanda on Friday night.

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Today, I posted this at Blair Foundation Watch.

From The New York Times
In a Globalized World, Sports Emerges as a Force for Change
By ROB HUGHES
Published: July 10, 2009

LONDON — The sporting superstar has reached a level of global recognition beyond any film star.

“There is no movie star in the world who could get thousands of people to wait six hours just to see their arrival, as Cristiano Ronaldo did this week,” said David Puttnam, filmmaker turned law maker in the British House of Lords.

Puttnam, who over 30 years produced award-winning films, including “Chariots of Fire,” “The Killing Fields,” “Bugsy Malone,” and “Memphis Belle,” is certain that Tom Cruise could not hope to draw 80,000 to a movie theater the way Ronaldo did to his signing ceremony at Real Madrid’s Bernabéu stadium last Monday.

“I have watched the dynamic of the superstar shift from film to sports,” Puttnam added. “The whole level of globalization of sports is bigger. The key is engagement. The power of sport has taken the movie industry by surprise.”

We were speaking at the Beyond Sport summit meeting in London where Puttnam — now Lord Puttnam, legislator and ambassador for Unicef — joined people from government offices to ground workers in some of the world’s most violent crime spots to discuss the power of sports.

Fame need not be frivolous. Puttnam, 68, has witnessed the emergence of celebrity added to charitable causes, from Danny Kaye, the American actor, singer and dancer of the 1950s, to the David Beckham phenomenon today.

He shared a panel at Beyond Sport with Tony Blair, the former British prime minister now working on reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. Beside them was Prince Faisal Al Hussein, adviser to Jordan’s armed forces as well as the founder of Generations for Peace, which attempts to use sport to unite youth.

And besides them was Dikembe Mutombo, a former N.B.A. star now using his stature back home in the Democratic Republic of Congo to construct hospitals and research centers in his hometown of Kinshasa. Mutombo went to the United States on a scholarship hoping to become a doctor. He returned to Africa as more than a doctor, using fame and fortune, to try to turn the tide of H.I.V.

He appeals to soccer in particular to put more back into a continent, which European clubs have plundered of so many star players.

Even down to Ronaldo, there is a social conscience that should not be overlooked. Showmanship is a major part of his talent, and playing the prima dona is second nature to him.

Yet this same performer who loves the crowd to love him also, at the relatively unknowing age of 20, was one of the first in to Aceh Province after the tsunami devastation of December 2004. Touched by the bravery of a boy found wandering the beach, lost after most of his family were washed away in the horror, Ronaldo paid for the boy to attend a match involving his own national team, Portugal.

The player, then at Manchester United, flew to Indonesia to give his time and presence to raise more than a billion rupiahs, then about $90,000, toward rebuilding homes.

“I never cease to be thrilled by some of the players I meet and the way they handle all that surrounds them,” Puttnam said at Beyond Sport. “The Barcelona club pays Unicef to wear our logo on the shirts, and more than that I’ve talked to the players.

“They tell me they get a thrill representing the world’s children. I’ve never had the same conversation with Manchester United players about A.I.G.” The United shirt is sponsored by the American insurance company, though the club has worked for nine years with Unicef without going that extra step that Barcelona did in paying the charity to wear the insignia.

But nobody supposes that sports clubs are anything less than big businesses these days. The fusion of cricket and Bollywood captures the modern world — and the worlds of celebrity, sport and entertainment.

Blair, the politician discovering the extraordinary pulling power of sports, said: “Most world leaders I have met enjoy something about sport, and some even play. But I think over the years it has become of a different magnitude, and we are only just beginning to understand the utility of sports.” He recalls going into a classroom in Japan and trying to relate to children. “I was introduced as the prime minister of Britain,” he says. No response. “I tried to say London.” A flicker.

“Then I said Beck-ham ... Ah, yes, I had a response.” Blair said that the more he learned about the power of government, the more he also discovered the limits of government. Sport, he suggested, could sometimes unlock those limitations.

Later, sitting besides Michael Johnson, the American sprinting icon, Blair admitted: “You know, Michael, when I told my own family who I was meeting today, they were suddenly interested. My kids are used to me talking about world leaders, but a real live sporting superstar, that was something different.” As we left the room, Blair took the opportunity to have his photograph taken with Johnson. For the children, no doubt.

It was reminiscent of Carlos Menem, the Argentine president from 1989-99, appointing Diego Maradona as a sporting ambassador for the world. The president shamelessly courted the soccer star, basked in his popularity. He didn’t know that at that time, leading up to the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Maradona had already begun the drug addiction in Naples that ultimately destroyed him as a player, and almost as a man.

This is heady stuff, when politicians and the rest of us put the fleeting stars of sports high on a pedestal, asking some of them to sort out the world’s problems.

Click on tag label CECAFA (here below) to see previous footballing news reports here at Sudan Watch.

Latest - CECAFA 2009 results from Khartoum, Sudan - Thurs, 09 July 2009

Report from Sudan Radio Service on Thursday, 09 July 2009:

(Khartoum) – Rwanda’s Atraco enjoyed a surprise victory on Wednesday night, knocking out Uganda’s Kampala City Council 4-0 in CECAFA’s quarter finals in El-Merrikh’s stadium, in Omdurman.

The Rwandans had faced several humiliations earlier in the tournament but qualified narrowly by edging out first Djibouti’s Kartileh and then Kampala City Council.

In this match, the first half was centered in the midfield and the two sides missed several chances of scoring.

Atraco apparently gained from the weakness of Kampala City Council in the second half and scored their first goal in the sixty-third minute through left-wing Hamisi Gitagenda.

KCC began to dominate the match but did not capitalize on their chances to equalize before Andre Lomami headed a corner ball home, scoring Kampala’s second goal in the seventy-fourth minute.

The Ugandan coach, George Nsimbe, tried to turn the table around by substituting two strikers but this could not prevent a soaring third goal from Johnson Bogoole in the eighty-seventh minute.

Just before the final whistle, Atraco’s captain, Shyaka Jean, recovered a long kick from his goalkeeper and dodged his way swiftly past the Kampala’s defense and shot to score the fourth goal.

The Rwandans will now meet Kenya’s Mathare United, who narrowly elbowed out fellow Kenyans, Tusker FC.

Mathare and Tusker’s match was described by sport analysts as a battle of wits because the match went all the way to the end 1-1. It was only after post-match penalties that the stand-off gave way in Mathare’s favor.

Duncan Ochieng, in goal for Mathare, saved three kicks out of five to ensure a three-two victory against Tusker.

Ochieng was chosen as the Man of the Match and received a $2000 prize from Al-Sadda newspaper.

Click on tag label CECAFA (here below) to see latest footballing news reports here at Sudan Watch.

CEFACA Results Latest

From Sudan Radio Service, Wed, 08 July 2009:
CEFACA Results Latest

(Khartoum) – The Sudanese champions El-Merrikh trampled over Burundi’s InterStars 2-0 in CECAFA’s quarter-final match on Tuesday evening and qualified for the semi-finals. The match began in a dull mood but heated up in the second half with El-Merrikh’s Nigerian star Indahor Indurance scoring the first goal in the sixty-first minute. He was later substituted by fellow Nigerian striker Klechi Osunwa who scored the second goal in seventy-second minute of the second half.

Sudanese striker Faisal Ajab was injured in the second half and will miss the next match of the semi-final on Friday against TP Mazembe of DR Congo.

Mazembe had earlier trounced Sudan’s Hay El-Arab 6-1 in a match that saw the locals making a slow start in the first half. Mazembe’s striker Bendi Benza shot a long range ball from left center of the field which skewered its way into the Hay El-Arab net, registering the first goal for the guests in the twenty-fourth minute. Hay El-Arab’s coach, Ahmed Sari, immediately re-arranged tactics and his boys retaliated with a goal through striker Magdi Abdel Majid in the thirty-fourth minute. The Congolese managed to hammer in their second goal before half-time and later slotted in four goals, instantly qualifying them for the semi-finals against El-Merrikh.

Off the pitch, the CECAFA organizing committee has banned Zanzibar’s Miembieni from the competition for five years. The decision by the committee was issued on Tuesday following bitter exchanges between Miembieni club officials and the referee of Sunday’s match in Port Sudan. According to a statement by CECAFA Secretary-general Nicholas Musonye posted on CECAFA’s website, a report from the referee and the match commissioner in Port Sudan found Miembieni to have flouted competition rules before abandoning the match midway in the second half.

The ban includes fining the club 20,000 USD and excludes them from all CECAFA-related activities. Their coach, Bushiri Ali, will not be allowed to participate in the competition for the next five years.

Click on tag label CECAFA (here below) to see latest footballing news reports here at Sudan Watch.

CECAFA 2009 results: Hay El-Arab of Sudan make the quarters

From Sudan Radio Service, Monday, 06 July 2009:

(Khartoum) – Hay El-Arab of Sudan has qualified for the quarter-finals in the CECAFA club competition after beating Zanzibar’s Miembieni 2-0 on Sunday in Port Sudan in a match that was marked with drama and dangerous play. The game was cut short half way through the second half by the referee when Miembieni ran out of substitutes after losing four players due to injury.

Another of their players was sent off for arguing with the referee.

Hay El-Arab scored their first goal in the first six minutes of the match and the second came from a penalty kick just before the final whistle. The penalty was bitterly contested by Miembieni.

The quarter-finals begin on Tuesday with Sudan’s El-Merrikh playing InterStars of Burundi. DR Congo’s TP Mazembe managed to cruise to their place in the quarter-finals after hurling out Tanzania’s Prisons 3-0 in Khartoum on Sunday.

Mazembe will play Hay El-Arab on Tuesday. Kenya’s champions Mathare United will be playing fellow Kenyans, Tusker, while Uganda’s Kampala City Council will battle it out with Rwanda’s Atraco on Wednesday.

Click on tag label CECAFA (here below) to see latest footballing news reports here at Sudan Watch.

See Sudan Watch - Sunday, 05 July 2009:
CECAFA 2009 results: Sudan’s El-Merikkh wins all three matches to quarter finals



Photo: Mathare's Omogi shields the ball from Merreikh's Worgu



Photo: Sentogo opened the scoring for KCC with a diving header (BBC Sport)

From BBC Sport KCC make Cecafa quarters, 15:26 GMT, Sunday, 05 July 2009 16:26 UK:

KCC of Uganda sealed a quarter-final spot in the Cecafa club Championship in Sudan on Friday.

Robert Sentogo scored the fastest goal of the tournament after 47 seconds as KCC beat Prisons of Tanzania 3-1 in Group B.
Shaban Mtupah equalised for the Tanzanians after 13 minutes.

But the Ugandans secured the win with goals from Tonny Okello and Katongo in the 38th and 88th minutes respectively.

So KCC's place in the quarter-final is assured after beating TP Mazembe 3-2 in their opening match.

In the other Group B game, DR Congo's TP Mazembe made a spectacular comeback from their opening loss to KCC.

They trounced Benadir of Somalia 8-1.

There was another thrashing in Group C where Kenya's Tusker hit six goals past Miembieni of Zanzibar.

Tusker now have four points which secures them a place in the quarter-finals.

The other Group C game between Hay el Arab of Sudan and Burundi's Inter Stars ended 1-1.

SEE ALSO

KCC beat Mazembe at Cecafa
02 Jul 09 | African

Merreikh kick-off Cecafa in style
01 Jul 09 | African

Cecafa ready for kick-off
30 Jun 09 | African

Sudan to host Cecafa tournaments
25 May 09 | African

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Click on tag label CECAFA (here below) to see latest footballing news reports here at Sudan Watch.