The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (Cecafa) has moved the U18 Women’s tournament from Kenya to Tanzania.

The fate of the seven-nation tournament was hanging in the balance following uncertainty over its commencement date as participating teams started to withdraw. However, Cecafa Executive Director Auka Gecheo confirmed on Wednesday the tournament will now take place from July 25 to August 7 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

“It is true Kenya was meant to host the Championship from June 29 to July 11 in Nairobi, but the competition was pushed further ahead because of a delay in funding,” said Auka, adding: “However, after Cecafa members met in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire last week on the sidelines of the Caf Ordinary Assembly, it was decided that the tournament be hosted by Tanzania at the Chamazi Stadium.”

However, Auka confirmed Kenya will not take part in the competition citing ongoing school games and later examinations around the same period.
“The teams expected to participate include; Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda, and Zanzibar,” said Auka, adding: “Kenya will not take part because of the ongoing school games and later examinations around the same period.”

When reached for comment Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa confirmed Kenya’s exit blaming it on the timing of the tournament.
“The timing for the tournament was not right for us,” said Mwendwa, adding: “Most of our kids are currently in school and due to sit for their exams and it was not possible to have them ready to compete.”

According to Auka, after the Cecafa U18 Women’s Championship, the Zonal Caf Women’s Champions League qualifier will take place in Uganda from August 12-30. The other tournaments expected to take place in the 2023 season include the Cecafa U18 Boys Championship, the Cecafa U15 Boys Championship, the Cecafa Kagame Cup, and the Cecafa U23 Championship.