Council for East and Central Africa Football Association
Encyclopedia
The Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) is an association of the football playing nations in Eastern Africa. It is also an affiliate of CAF
.
It is arguably the oldest sub-regional football organisation in Africa.
CECAFA was founded unofficially in 1927 and the competitions were sponsored by major Nairobi
based soap-manufacturing firm Gossage
(owned by Lever
). The formation of CECAFA is often falsely attributed to William Gossage
, founder of the Gossage company but he died in 1877, some 50 years before the first contest so it would not be possible.
What is known however, is that the tournament has very close links with Nairobi
in Kenya
and this is still where the CECAFA Office is based.
The first tournament was contested between Kenya
and Uganda
which saw Kenya win 3-1 on aggregate over the two legged affair.
The tournament became known as the "Gossage Cup" until the mid-sixties when it became known as the "East African Challenge Cup". Some sources suggest that the tournament had its name changed due to Kenya's new found independence in 1963.
Confederation of African Football
The Confederation of African Football is the administrative and controlling body for African association football.CAF represents the national football associations of Africa, runs continental, national, and club competitions, and controls the prize money, regulations and media rights to those...
.
It is arguably the oldest sub-regional football organisation in Africa.
History
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
based soap-manufacturing firm Gossage
Gossage
Gossage is a family name of soapmakers and alkali manufacturers. Their company eventually became part of the Unilever group. During World War II, all soap brands were abolished by British government decree in 1942, in favour of a generic soap...
(owned by Lever
Lever Brothers
Lever Brothers was a British manufacturer founded in 1885 by William Hesketh Lever and his brother, James Darcy Lever . The brothers had invested in and promoted a new soap making process invented by chemist William Hough Watson, it was a huge success...
). The formation of CECAFA is often falsely attributed to William Gossage
William Gossage
William Gossage was a chemical manufacturer who established a soap making business in Widnes, Lancashire, England.-Early life:...
, founder of the Gossage company but he died in 1877, some 50 years before the first contest so it would not be possible.
What is known however, is that the tournament has very close links with Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
and this is still where the CECAFA Office is based.
The first tournament was contested between Kenya
Kenya national football team
The Kenya national football team, nicknamed the Harambee Stars, is the national team of Kenya and is controlled by Football Kenya Limited, the governing body of football in Kenya. They have never qualified for the World Cup finals.-History:...
and Uganda
Uganda national football team
The Uganda national football team, nicknamed The Cranes, is the national team of Uganda and is controlled by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations...
which saw Kenya win 3-1 on aggregate over the two legged affair.
The tournament became known as the "Gossage Cup" until the mid-sixties when it became known as the "East African Challenge Cup". Some sources suggest that the tournament had its name changed due to Kenya's new found independence in 1963.
Competitions
- CECAFA Senior Challenge CupCECAFA CupThe CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup is the oldest football tournament in Africa. It is a tournament of FIFA and the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations , and includes national teams from Central and East Africa...
- contested between CECAFA associated nations - CECAFA Club Cup - - contested between selected Clubs in CECAFA associated nations
- CECAFA U-17 ChampionshipCECAFA U-17 ChampionshipThe CECAFA U-17 Championship is the a football tournament in Africa. It is a tournament of FIFA and the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations , and includes national under 17 teams from Central and East Africa.-Past winners:...
- - contested between CECAFA associated nations under 17 teams.
Television Rights
Since 2007, the television rights for this competition have been sold to GTV.Gossage Cup (1926-1966)
| Year | Winners | Runner Up |
|---|---|---|
| 1926 | ||
| 1927 | N/A | N/A |
| 1928 | ||
| 1929 | ||
| 1930 | ||
| 1931 | ||
| 1932 | ||
| 1933 | N/A | N/A |
| 1934 | N/A | N/A |
| 1935 | ||
| 1936 | ||
| 1937 | ||
| 1938 | ||
| 1939 | ||
| 1940 | ||
| 1941 | ||
| 1942 | ||
| 1943 | ||
| 1944 | ||
| 1945 | ||
| 1946 | ||
| 1947 | ||
| 1948 | ||
| 1949 | ||
| 1950 | N/A | N/A |
| 1951 | ||
| 1952 | ||
| 1953 | ||
| 1954 | ||
| 1955 | ||
| 1956 | ||
| 1957 | ||
| 1958 | ||
| 1959 | (shared) | |
| 1960 | ||
| 1961 | ||
| 1962 | ||
| 1963 | ||
| 1964 | ||
| 1965 | ||
| 1966 |
Challenge Cup (1967-1971)
| Year | Winners | Score | Runner Up | Hosts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 |  |
|||
| 1968 |  |
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| 1969 |  |
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| 1970 | |
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| 1971 | |
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| 1972 | N/A | N/A |