Sudanese team suspended as age concerns dogs CECAFA U-17 Championship

Disappointing news. Sudan have been punished for having a whole raft of overage players...

From Goal.com 22 August 2009 by James Momanyi:
Sudanese Team Suspended As Age Concerns Dogs CECAFA U-17 Championship

The CECAFA Under-17 youth championship organisers are in a quandary as to how to deal with the problem of overage players, as Sudan and Zanzibar have presented teams with boys suspected to be over the age limit.

The organisers have been caught in a mix because documents presented by the suspected teams are official identification from their respective countries.

Kenya were beaten 3-1 by Zanzibar in their opening match in Juba Stadium, while Sudan beat Tanzania 3-0 on Thursday. But according to a report posted on kenyapremierleague.com, immediately after the Sudanese match, CECAFA ruled that 17 players in the Sudan squad were ineligible and expelled them, stripping the country of their win against Tanzania.

The embarrassment caused by the hosts left CECAFA with no option, but they have handed them a reprieve of sorts by keeping them in the competition, if they can raise a legal team.

The Zanzibar and Ethiopian contingents in Juba are also highly suspect. Although Ethiopia were beaten 4-0 on the opening day by Uganda, the team played four players who were rumoured to be overage, while Zanzibar's 3-1 over Kenya was blighted by the presence of several older looking players in the victorious side.

Twelve teams are participating in the two week championship, and it is not yet known what action CECAFA will take against teams that have already used overage players in their opening matches. So far, Tanzania and Kenya are the only teams seen as having players of the correct age.

Kenya fall to Zanzibar

Daily Nation - ‎13 hours ago‎

By NATION CorrespondentPosted Friday, August 21 2009 at 18:01 Kenya slumped to a 3-1 defeat by Zanzibar in their opening Cecafa Under-17 Youth Championship ...

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Southern Sudan President Kiir launches Cecafa Under-17 Football Championship (Hassan el Bashir Cup) at Juba Stadium

From Daily Nation Reporter, Thursday, August 20 2009:
Southern Sudan President Kiir launches Cecafa U-17

The President of the Government of Southern Sudan Salva Kirr on Wednesday opened the Cecafa Under-17 championship at a packed Juba Stadium.

The championship was opened simultaneously in Juba and Khartoum, two of three cities that will be hosting the tournament. The third host city is Wadmedani.

Kenya are based in Juba and were due open their campaign against Zanzibar in a Group “B” on Thursday evening while Sudan welcomed Tanzania and Somalia took on guest team Malawi in Group “A fixtures in Khartoum.

The tournament is the first major sporting event of its kind to be held in Southern Sudan and involves 12 nations.

“The decisive decision taken by Cecafa to have Group “A” matches played in Juba came after sending its delegations to visit the Juba Stadium and perusing security situation in the capital.

The move has proven the relentless efforts and the commitment the government of Southern Sudan has exerted in providing security and development,” a statement from the Office of Vice-president, Government of Southern Sudan said about the tournament.

Sudan’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Gabriel Changson Chang also attended the opening ceremony.

Uganda lads, urged on by a sizeable expatriate community from their country, sounded an early warning when they thumped their Ethiopian counterparts 4-0 in the opening match on Tuesday.

Undated photo of Juba Stadium entrance sign. (Source: picturesofsouthsudan.blog)

Rwanda/Egypt: Uganda Wins Cecafa U-17 Opener, Egypt Pulls Out

AllAfrica.com - Ostine Arinaitwe - ‎3 hours ago‎

Kigali — Uganda were in great shape beating Ethiopia 4-0 as the Cecafa Under-17 football championship started in Sudan Wednesday. ...

Uganda U-17s battle Kenya in Juba tourney

New Vision - Fred Kaweesi, Swalley Kenyi - ‎14 hours ago‎

The pair will still have to deliver today if coach Richard Wasswa's youngsters are to seal a quarter-final place in the CECAFA juniors tournament. ...

Uganda Batter Ethiopia In CECAFA Youth Championship Opener Goal.com

Rwanda/Egypt: Uganda Wins Cecafa U-17 Opener, Egypt Pulls Out AllAfrica.com

CECAFA U-17 CHALLENGE CUP ThisDay

New Vision - AllAfrica.com

all 9 news articles »

Goal.com

Rwanda's Junior Wasps Ready For Egypt Battle

Goal.com - ‎Aug 18, 2009‎

... U-17 national team coach, Michael Weiss, has played down Egypt's prowess ahead of this year's CECAFA U-17 Championship, which kicks off today in Sudan. ...

Rwanda: Cecafa Youth Championship Kicks Off AllAfrica.com

U-17 date Somalia Malawi's Daily Times

Debate over new Nile River treaty rages on ThisDay

eTurboNews - AllAfrica.com

all 7 news articles »

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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
- - -

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.

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.

- - -

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.

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

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.