Ethiopia: CECAFA Champions
Ethiopia has successfully defended its CECAFA title with a 1-0 win against Rwanda. This is the fourth time Ethiopia has become a regional champion. Most remember the first title Ethiopia won in 1987 by narrowly beating Zimbabwe. Although the tournament has become less prestigious since then [as the result of the withdrawal of such teams as Zimbabwe, Zambia, and, Malawi from the regional tournament], this win signifies a new height for the Ethiopian national team which has managed to win its second major tournament outside of Addis. I hope to see the success to continue and see Ethiopia back in nation’s cup.
For the results of the tournament and a report on the final, click on Read More
Results of the tournament
Cecafa Cup 2005 results
Ethiopia are the defending champions in the Cecafa Cup
The 2005 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup is hosted in Rwanda between Saturday 26 November and Saturday December 10th, with 10 countries taking part. Kenya have been disqualified for not showing up.
2006 Champions: Ethiopia
10/12/05:
Final: Ethiopia 1-0 Rwanda
3rd Place Play-Off: Uganda 0-0 Zanzibar
Zanzibar win 5-4 on penalties
8/12/05:
Semi-final: Ethiopia 4-0 Zanzibar
Semi-final: Uganda 0-1 Rwanda (after extra time)
Group A
Rwanda
Zanzibar
Eritrea
Tanzania
Burundi
26/11/05: Rwanda 0-1 Zanzibar
28/11/05: Zanzibar 3-0 Eritrea, Tanzania 2-1 Burundi
30/11/05: Burundi 1-2 Zanzibar, Eritrea 2-3 Rwanda
2/12/05: Tanzania 1-1 Zanzibar, Burundi 0-0 Eritrea
4/12/05: Tanzania 1-0 Eritrea, Rwanda 2-0 Burundi
6/12/05: Tanzania 1-3 Rwanda
Group B
Ethiopia - holders
Uganda
Djibouti
Somalia
Sudan
27/11/05: Somalia 2-1 Djibouti, Ethiopia 0-0 Uganda
29/11/05: Sudan 4-1 Somalia
30/11/05: Uganda 6-1 Djibouti
1/12/05: Ethiopia 3-1 Sudan, Uganda 7-0 Somalia
3/12/05: Djibouti 0-6 Ethiopia, Uganda 3-0 Sudan
5/12/05: Ethiopia 3-1 Somalia, Sudan 4-0 Djibouti;
SPORTS
Trouble ahead for Rwanda men after loss to Ethiopia
Story by NATION Correspondent
Publication Date: 12/12/2005
Ethiopia beat Rwanda 1-0 to retain the East and Central Africa senior Challenge Cup in a result that is sure to hasten the removal of top Rwandese football officials.The duel was at the 25,000 seater Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Saturday.
Reliable sources in Kigali said the office had been asked by top government officials to quit two weeks ago.
A 0-1 loss to Zanzibar in the opening match complicated matters for the officials. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda intervened making drastic changes on the technical bench and urging the players to put up their best in the tournament sponsored by Saudi Arabian/Ethiopian billionaire Sheikh Mohamed Al-Amoudi.
Despite wins over arch rivals Burundi and Uganda that impressed even the President himself, Sports Minister Joseph Kabeneza went on to order for soccer election on December 27.
Reliable sources in Ferwafa and the government said Ferwafa's top leadership that has Kayizari as chairman, vice chairmen Celestin Musayibimana and Yusuf Mudaheranwa and secretary Janvier Rwagatare has been 'ordered' not to defend their seats.
Ethiopia who won at home last year were in great shape on Saturday as they tormented both their opponents and the thousands of fans that included President Kagame with their ball artistry.
The day's hero was Andrianlem Negane who bent low to head under the roof against towering Rwandese goalkeeper Bigirimana Claude in the 60th minute.
The Ethiopians played the final two minutes a man less after the scorer was sent off by Sudanese referee Babikewr Sharif for time wasting.
--Uganda 4 Zanzibar 5
Zanzibar clinched third place after post match penalties against Uganda in a match played earlier. The teams had played out a barren draw in the opening 90 minutes although Uganda were guilty of losing several chances.
Molly Kyekwaso missed his shot as Zanzibar cruised to another good result in this year's tournament. Uganda scorers were Geofrey Sserenkuma, Stephen Nsereko, Ronald Mugaga, and Richard Malinga.
On target for Zanzibar were Mwinyi Ali, Masoud Ali, Ahmed Ali, Kassim Issa and Abdallah Soud. The winners went away with US$35,000, runners up US$20,000, third placed US$10,000 and the fourth team US$5,000.
