Simba SC are set to return to Kigali after being confirmed among the teams that will compete in the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup. The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) on Friday unveiled the club from Tanzania among 11 of the 12 clubs that will take part in the regional tournament, which Rwanda will host from July 24 to August 8. The matches will be played at Amahoro Stadium and Kigali Pelé Stadium, bringing together some of East and Central Africa's top clubs ahead of the new continental season. ALSO READ: Benghazi clubs, CS Sfaxien interested in CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026 CECAFA Interim Executive Director Jean Sseninde said the tournament will serve as an important platform for clubs preparing for the upcoming CAF inter-club competitions. We are excited that this tournament will give our teams a platform to prepare ahead of the CAF competitions kicking off in September 2026, said Sseninde. Simba SC's return marks their first appearance in the competition since 2018. The Tanzanian giants are also the tournament's most successful club, having won the CECAFA Kagame Cup six times. The regional football body also confirmed that the 12th participating team will be announced on July 6. The clubs confirmed so far are hosts APR FC and Rayon Sports (Rwanda), Simba SC (Tanzania), Vipers SC (Uganda), Al Hilal SC and Al Merrikh SC (Sudan), Gor Mahia FC (Kenya), Mogadishu City FC (Somalia), Jamus SC (South Sudan), FC Garde Républicaine (Djibouti), and KVZ FC (Zanzibar).
