Two Kenyan giants confirmed for 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup

Kenyan football giants: Gor Mahia and Kenya Police FC are poised for another shot at regional glory after being confirmed for the 2026 CECAFA Kagame Cup.

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This year's tournament is expected to feature one of its strongest fields in recent history.

According to Rwanda Times, the two FKF Premier League clubs are among the teams expected to compete in the tournament, which will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from 25 July to 9 August.

Kenya will also be hoping to end a long wait for regional supremacy.

Tusker FC are the last Kenyan club to win the CECAFA Kagame Cup, lifting the regional title in 2008 after defeating Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) 2-1 in the final in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

For Kenya Police FC, the competition offers a chance to redeem themselves after their 2025 Kagame Cup campaign ended in disappointment following their group-stage exit.

Gor Mahia, meanwhile, will be looking to use the tournament to prepare for their return to the CAF Champions League.

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Rwanda Times reports that organizers are also seeking to elevate the tournament by attracting North African heavyweights.

Libyan giants Al Ahly Benghazi and Tunisian powerhouse CS Sfaxien have formally requested invitations, while fellow Libyan side Al Nasr Benghazi has also expressed strong interest in participating.

If confirmed, the trio would significantly strengthen the competition, reinforcing CECAFA's ambition of turning the Kagame Cup into a premier preseason tournament ahead of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup campaigns.

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Al Ahly Benghazi are currently preparing for the Libyan Cup final against Al Ahly Tripoli, while CS Sfaxien, multiple CAF Confederation Cup champions, are understood to be in advanced talks with tournament organizers.

Rwanda is expected to be represented by APR FC and Rayon Sports, while Tanzania's Simba SC and Young Africans (Yanga SC) are expected to feature.

Uganda's Vipers SC, Ethiopia's Ethiopian Coffee, Zanzibar's Mlandege SC, Burundi's Flambeau du Centre, Djibouti's Garde Côtes FC, South Sudan's El Merriekh Bentiu, and Sudanese giants Al Hilal and Al Merrikh are also expected to be present.

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