New CECAFA president outlines strategies to grow football within the region
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 18.02.26. | 10:00
He takes over from Alexandre Muyenge, who had been serving as Acting President since late last year
Newly elected CECAFA President Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam has pledged sweeping reforms and renewed unity across the region after officially assuming office at the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
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The Eritrean football chief outlined an ambitious roadmap focused on governance, unity and competitive growth, declaring that his administration will prioritise building a stronger and more impactful CECAFA that delivers tangible value to its member associations.
“Our priority is to build a stronger, more impactful CECAFA that delivers value to member associations and advances the game at all levels,” Paulos said.
“My target is one, to make CECAFA the best in terms of football governance and to unite all the member associations. We have 11 plus one, including Zanzibar.
The second aim is to improve the secretariat we have. We also have to improve the competitions that we organise.”
He emphasised the need for structured capacity-building programs across all aspects of the game to uplift football standards within the zone, especially with the region preparing to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations.
“We have to have capacity building programs in all aspects that can help improve our football in our zone. We are also the next host of AFCON, and as a host zone, we must improve the way we do things in football and be ready to deliver a good AFCON,” he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, Andemariam met Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, revealing ongoing engagements between CECAFA and Kenya’s Ministry of Youth and Sports aimed at establishing a permanent CECAFA headquarters in Nairobi. He noted that a permanent base would enhance CECAFA’s institutional stability and strengthen its regional influence.
He also underscored the importance of strategic partnerships, particularly with the Football Kenya Federation and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, as key pillars in driving sustainable growth across East and Central Africa.
Andemariam was received at the headquarters by FKF President Hussein Mohamed and was flanked by CECAFA Interim Executive Director Jean Sseninde and CECAFA Vice President Ali Abdi Mohamed.
The event was attended by members of the CECAFA Secretariat and former FKF Vice President Doris Petra.
He takes over from Alexandre Muyenge, who had been serving as Acting President since late last year.
New CECAFA executive committee
President - Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam of the Eritrean National Football Federation
Vice President - Ali Abdi Mohamed of the Somali Football Federation
Executive Committee Members: Francis Amin Michael of the South Sudan Football Federation and Shema Ngoga Fabrice of the Rwanda Football Federation
With Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania set to co-host the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, Andemariam begins his tenure at a crucial moment, insisting that the region must raise governance standards, strengthen institutions and enhance competitiveness to successfully deliver Africa’s flagship football tournament.
