Uganda Cranes to start CECAFA defence against Zimbabwe

• 2017 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup
  
• 3rd – 17th December (Kisumu, Kakamega, Nakuru)

The Council of Eastern and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) Senior Challenge Cup will officially kick off on Sunday, 3^rd December 2017 in Kenya.

Guest country Libya will swing into action against Tanzania in the first match of the tournament that returns after a two-year absence.

The Libya versus Tanzania affair will be an early kick off on the daily double header.

Hosts Kenya will open up against Rwanda in the second match on day one.

Record holders and the reigning champions, Uganda Cranes kick off play against another guest side Zimbabwe on Monday, 4^th November 2017. The same day will witness Burundi play Ethiopia in the early kick off.

A total of 20 group stage matches will be played in a period of 8 days.

The best two countries will qualify from the each group for the last four stage.

Wednesday, 13^th December 2017 has been ear marked to be a resting day prior to the semi-finals.

The finals and third place playoff will come on Sunday, 17^th December 2017.

According to the long serving secretary general of the CECAFA, Nicholas Musonyi, major preparations to have a smooth and successful tournament have been finalized.

“We are glad that the tournament returns since 2015 in Ethiopia. With all the logistics in place, we shall have a successful event,” Musonyi stated.

Kakamega, Kisumu and Nakuru are the confirmed venues to host the annual championship.

Kasarani and Machakos were put on stand-by just in case the rest of the venues are not ready by kick off.

Uganda is the most successful country with 14 cups won.

POOLS:

• Group A: Kenya (Hosts), Rwanda (Guest), Libya, Tanzania, Zanzibar
• Group B: Uganda, Zimbabwe (Guest), Burundi, Burundi, Ethiopia, South Sudan
  

Full Fixtures:

Sunday, 3^rd December 2017

• Libya Vs Tanzania (Group A) – 2 p.m
• Kenya Vs Rwanda (Group A) – 4 p.m

Monday, 4^th December 2017:                             

• Burundi Vs Ethiopia (Group B) – 2 p.m
• Uganda Vs Zimbabwe (Group B) – 4 p.m

Tuesday, 5^th December 2017:

• Zanzibar Vs Rwanda (Group A) – 2 p.m
• Kenya Vs Libya (Group A) – 4 p.m

Wednesday, 6^th December 2017:

• South Sudan Vs Zimbabwe (Group B) – 2 p.m
• Uganda Vs Burundi (Group B) – 4 p.m

Thursday, 7^th December 2017:

• Tanzania Vs Zanzibar (Group A) – 2 p.m
• Rwanda Vs Libya (Group A) – 4 p.m

Friday, 8^th December 2017:

• South Sudan Vs Ethiopia (Group B) – 2 p.m
• Zimbabwe Vs Burundi (Group B) – 4 p.m

Saturday, 9^th December 2017:

• Rwanda Vs Tanzania (Group A) – 2 p.m
• Kenya Vs Zanzibar (Group A) – 4 p.m

Sunday, 10^th December 2017:

• South Sudan Vs Burundi (Group B) – 2 p.m
• Ethiopia Vs Uganda (Group B) – 4 p.m

Monday, 11^th December 2017:

• Libya Vs Zanzibar (Group A) – 2 p.m
• Kenya Vs Tanzania (Group B) – 4 p.m

Tuesday, 12^th December 2017:

• Uganda Vs South Sudan (Group B) – 2 p.m
• Zimbabwe Vs Ethiopia (Group B) – 2 p.m

Wednesday, 13^th December 2017: REST DAY 

Thursday, 14^th December 2017

• 1^st Semi-final: Winner A Vs Runners Up B – 3 p.m

Friday, 15^th December 2017

• 2^nd Semi-final: Winner B Vs Runners Up A – 3 p.m

Saturday, 16^th December 2017: REST DAY

Sunday, 17^th December 2017:

• Third Place Play off – 1:30 p.m
• Final: 3 p.m