CECAFA 2017: Uganda Cranes kick off title defence against Burundi

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

The Council of Eastern and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) made an amendment on the fixtures following the withdrawal Zimbabwe from the Challenge Cup

The kick off date remains unchanged as the games roll off on Sunday, 3^rd December 2017 in Machakos.

Hosts Kenya will take on Rwanda in the second match of the opening day at Machakos after guest country Libya playing Tanzania.

The tournament’s most successful country and defending champion, Uganda will then open their cup defence against Burundi on Monday, 4th December 2017 in Kakamega.

Uganda Cranes was originally planned to kick off with the Zimbabwe Warriors who withdrew at the 11th hour citing insecurity in Kenya.

Four days later, Uganda will return into action against South Sudan before winding up the Group B matches with a date against Ethiopia on Sunday, 10th December 2017.

The final group matches will be played on Monday, 11th December 2017 to determine the best two countries that will qualify from the each group for the last four stage.

Tuesday 12th and Wednesday, 13^th December 2017 has been ear marked to be resting days 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, Machakos and Nakuru are the confirmed venues to host the annual championship.

Uganda is the most successful country with 14 cups won.

POOLS:

• Group A: Kenya (Hosts), Rwanda (Guest), Libya, Tanzania, Zanzibar – (Based in Machakos)
• Group B: Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, South Sudan  – (Based in Kakamega)
  

Full Fixtures:

Sunday, 3^rd December 2017

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

Monday, 4^th December 2017:                             

• Uganda Vs Burundi (Group B) – 4 p.m – Kakamega

Tuesday, 5^th December 2017:

• Zanzibar Vs Rwanda (Group A) – 2 p.m – Machakos
• Kenya Vs Libya (Group A) – 4 p.m – Machakos
• Ethiopia Vs South Sudan (Group B) – Kakamega

Wednesday, 6^th December 2017: REST DAY

Thursday, 7^th December 2017:

• Tanzania Vs Zanzibar (Group A) – 2 p.m – Machakos
• Rwanda Vs Libya (Group A) – 4 p.m – Machakos
• Ethiopia Vs Burundi (Group B) – 3 pm – Kakamega

Friday, 8^th December 2017:

• Uganda Vs South Sudan (B) – 3 p.m – Kakamega

Saturday, 9^th December 2017:

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

Sunday, 10^th December 2017:

• Ethiopia Vs Uganda (Group B) – 3 p.m – Kakamega

Monday, 11^th December 2017:

• Libya Vs Zanzibar (Group A) – 2 p.m  – Machakos
• South Sudan Vs Burundi (Group B) – 3 p.m – Kakamega
• Kenya Vs Tanzania (Group A) – 4 p.m – Machakos

Tuesday, 12^th December 2017: REST DAY

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