Ethiopia will host the 2015 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in November, the Ethiopia Football Federation president Junedin Basha has confirmed. Basha, who is excited about the prospect of hosting the oldest football competition on the African continent, expects this year’s edition to be a success following his country’s withdrawal from hosting last year’s event. That time, the Ethiopian FA cited their national team’s engagements in several competitions including the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers to mention but a few. Last year’s edition did not take place as CECAFA failed to find a host within a month’s notice of Ethiopia’s withdrawal. CECAFA secretary general Nicholas Musonye had earlier requested Rwanda to host this year’s competition but Rwanda was hesitant following the intense preparations to host the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) scheduled for January 16 - February 7. Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) president Vincent Nzamwita had earlier confirmed Rwanda as host according to international media reports but he later withdrew this statement. Rwanda has won this competition only once in 1999 when it was hosted in Rwanda and Rwanda B defeated Kenya 3-1 to emerge winners. Uganda are record champions having won it a record 13 times and Kenya are the reigning champions. They won the 2013 edition hosted in Kenya. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
