CECAFA unveils 2025 Kagame cup lineup: 12 elite clubs set to clash in Tanzania
The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has officially unveiled the dates, fixtures, and participating teams for the 2025 Kagame Cup.
Twelve elite clubs from across the region will battle for glory in Tanzania’s bustling capital. Scheduled to kick off just two days after the conclusion of the 2025 Total Energies Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), the tournament will serve as a crucial preparatory platform for clubs aiming to make an impact in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup.
Uganda’s Vipers SC, the reigning champions, will return to defend their title, hoping to continue Uganda’s strong legacy in the competition.
The Venoms will look to emulate past Ugandan winners, including KCCA FC (1978, 2019), SC Villa (1987, 2003, 2005), Police FC (2006), and Express FC (2022).
Vipers’ triumph in the previous edition showcased their dominance in East African club football, but with a star-studded lineup this year, retaining the trophy will be no easy feat.
The 2025 edition features a mix of traditional powerhouses and ambitious challengers, including:
– Vipers SC (Uganda)
– Al Hilal (Sudan)
– Young Africans SC (Yanga, Tanzania)
– Simba SC (Tanzania)
– APR FC (Rwanda)
– El Merriekh SC Bentiu (South Sudan)
– Kenya Police FC (Kenya)
– Ethiopia Insurance (Ethiopia)
– Mlandege SC (Zanzibar)
– MCC FC (Somalia)
– Aigle Noir FC (Burundi)
– ASAS Djibouti Telecom (Djibouti)
The 2025 Kagame Cup will follow a group stage format, with the 12 teams divided into three groups of four. The top teams from each group, along with the best runner-up, will advance to the semifinals.
The opening match will see Simba SC vs. APR FC, a blockbuster clash between East African giants that will set the tone for the tournament.
Other key group stage fixtures include:
– Vipers SC vs. Al Hilal – A test of the champions against Sudanese flair
– Young Africans SC vs. Kenya Police FC – Tanzanian giants take on Kenyan contenders
– El Merriekh Bentiu vs. Aigle Noir – A battle of rising forces
The semifinals will take place on July 25 and 26, 2025, and the final will be held on July 29, 2025, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
Auka Gecheo, CECAFA’s Executive Director, expressed optimism about the tournament’s competitiveness:
“We are pleased to confirm the tournament dates and expect a highly competitive event. Many teams will use this as a springboard for CAF club competitions, raising the stakes even higher.”
With Yanga, Simba, Al Hilal, and APR FC all vying for supremacy, the 2025 Kagame Cup promises high-intensity clashes, emerging talents, and renewed regional rivalries.
Football fans across East and Central Africa can expect a thrilling spectacle as clubs battle for pride and continental preparation.
