CECAFA Competitions Director Yussud Mossi/ CHARLENE MALWA
Kenya Police CEO Japheth Ochutsi believes the upcoming Cecafa Kagame Cup will provide the perfect build-up to the CAF Champions League, set for September 2-15 in Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania.
The 12-team regional inter-club showpiece will bring together top sides from East and Central Africa to compete for glory.
Ochutsi said the competition will sharpen his side for continental duty. “This is an important preparatory platform. We need to test ourselves against quality opponents before heading to the CAF Champions League,” he said.
Kenya Police, the 2024/2025 Kenyan Premier League champions, will lead the country’s campaign in Group A alongside Tanzania’s Singida FC, Djibouti’s Garde Côte and Ethiopia Coffee. Ochutsi said the team is determined to make a strong statement on their maiden appearance.
“We’re glad to make our maiden appearance at this regional tourney. Even though we are first-timers and this group isn’t any easier, we are confident that we shall fly the country’s flag high."
"We shall borrow a cue from the national team and seek to do everything excellently. Our preparations have been great, and we remain focused,” he went on.
Group B will feature Rwanda’s APR, Uganda’s NEC, Burundi’s Bumamuru and Zanzibar’s Mlandege, while Group C brings together Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman and Al Ahly SC Wad Madani, South Sudan’s Kator and Mogadishu City from Somalia. Betika are sponsoring the tournament to the tune of Sh42 million.
CECAFA Secretary General Auka Gacheo welcomed the deal, saying, “Rwandan President H.E. Paul Kagame was the initial sponsor of Kagame Cup, and now we have Betika. It’s a good start. Sponsorship adds value, and I hope the clubs will enjoy it.”
Betika Group CEO Mutua Mutava emphasised the company’s vision to grow the game beyond borders. “Football is more than a game; it’s a powerful force that unites communities. This sponsorship is not just about funding football; it’s about investing in people, building connections across nations, and giving talent a platform to shine."
CECAFA Vice President Paulos Andemariam echoed similar sentiments, stating: “This partnership reflects the confidence that a leading brand has in the value and potential of CECAFA competitions.”
The Kagame Cup, named in honour of Rwandan President H.E. Paul Kagame, has grown into a premier event in East and Central Africa, combining fierce competition with sports diplomacy and cultural exchange across the region.
Last year’s finalists, APR, a three-time winner, headline the list of contenders alongside Vipers SC (Uganda), El Merriekh SC Bentiu (South Sudan) and Flambeau du Centre (Burundi), among others.
