The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has confirmed that the 2025 Pre-CHAN tournament will proceed as scheduled, despite a surprise withdrawal by Kenya just hours before kick-off.

The tournament, set to begin on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, will now feature three teams—hosts Tanzania, Uganda, and guest team Senegal. The opening match will see Tanzania clash with Uganda at the Karatu Stadium.

“The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) pre-CHAN tournament will kick off on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, with hosts Tanzania facing Uganda in the opening match at the Karatu Stadium,” CECAFA stated in a press statement issued on Monday, July 21, 2025.

“CECAFA wishes to inform all stakeholders that despite Kenya’s withdrawal after the team had earlier arrived in Karatu, the tournament will now go ahead with three teams.”

CECAFA’S disappointment at Kenya

CECAFA Executive Director Auka Gecheo expressed disappointment at Kenya’s abrupt exit after the team had already arrived in Karatu. “We find the withdrawal of Kenya to be unfair, especially after extensive efforts were made to meet the Federation’s requests,” Gecheo stated in the press release.

The second match of the mini-tournament will pit Uganda against Senegal on July 25, with the final fixture scheduled for July 27, when Tanzania takes on Senegal.

The Pre-CHAN tournament serves as a crucial preparatory event for the African Nations Championship (CHAN), offering regional teams a platform to fine-tune their squads and assess player readiness.

Despite the setback, CECAFA reiterated its commitment to enhancing the quality and organisation of its competitions. The body praised the remaining teams for their continued support and participation.

“The second match will see Uganda face Senegal on July 25, while the final day, July 27, will see Tanzania take on Senegal. CECAFA remains committed to continuously improving the quality and organisation of its competitions,” the statement read.

Kenya’s withdrawal

The CECAFA statement comes hours after Harambee Stars pulled out of the Four-Nations Tournament on the very day the team was scheduled to open its campaign in the mini-tournament against Tanzania this Monday, July 21, 2025.

In a statement dated Monday, July 21, 2025, the Football Kenya Federation said that the decision was taken after prevailing conditions of the tournament in Arusha were deemed unsuitable for the team’s preparation.

FKF has further confirmed that Stars will be returning home to ramp up their preparations barely two days after taking a flight to Arusha for the CECEFA-sanctioned tourney.

“The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) wishes to inform the public that the Harambee Stars have withdrawn from the CECAFA Four Nations Tournament in Tanzania,” part of FKF’s statement read.

“This decision has been made following recommendations and advice from the team’s technical bench, led by Head Coach Benni McCarthy, after a thorough assessment of the prevailing conditions, which were deemed unsuitable for the team’s participation and overall preparation.”