Multiple Africa champions TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo are among three teams invited for the Cecafa Kagame Cup on July 6 to 22 in Tanzania and Zanzibar.
The other guests are Malawi giants Nyasa Big Bullets of Malawi and Zambia’s Red Arrows FC.
The trio have confirmed participation and will join the 13 Cecafa teams. Kenya will be represented by Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia while Tanzania will have Yanga, Simba and Azam.
The tournament was earlier planned for July 20 to August 4 in Tanzania, which collided with the busy CAF calendar.
Cecafa Executive Director Auka Gecheo said: “This competition will help our teams prepare better in the pre-season ahead of the 2024/2025 Champions League and Caf Confederation Cup which start in August.”
“Having top sides from DR Congo, Malawi and Zambia will spice up our competition and give our teams a real test.”
The Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, which was meant to open the regional calendar from June 29 to July 14 has been cancelled to give players time to prepare for Kagame Cup.
Other teams expected are Vital ‘O (Burundi), APR (Rwanda), El Merreikh, Al Hilal, Hai El Wadi (Sudan), Coastal Union FC (Tanzania), SC Villa (Uganda), JKU SC (Zanzibar), El Merreikh FC-Bentiu (South Sudan).
