Mukura Victory Sport has caused quite the stir by surprisingly defeating the reigning Rwanda Premier League champions APR FC 1-0 during their match held on Sunday at Amahoro Stadium. Destin Malanda was the hero of the day, scoring the solitary goal just 19 minutes after the kickoff, silencing the home team's vocal supporters. Despite APR FC's recent triumph at the Heroes Cup 2025, Mukura's defensive strategy proved effective against them.
Currently, the army team of APR FC sits second on the league table with 37 points after playing 18 matches, just behind Rayon Sports, who are at the top with 41 points after being held to a 1-1 draw by Amagaju. Mukura Victory Sport, meanwhile, has positioned themselves sixth on the log with 27 points, closely trailing Police FC, who sit just one point above.
Meanwhile, excitement is building for Simba SC, who are gearing up for their quarter-final clash against Egyptian side Al Masry SC as part of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup. Following the draw conducted yesterday in Qatar, head coach Fadlu Davids shared insights about the upcoming encounter, highlighting the challenges of competing at such high stakes. "Facing Al Masry will not be easy. But we had pre-season in Egypt and we know what to expect when we play the first leg there," he explained, stressing the importance of having topped their group to secure the first leg away from home.
The two-legged quarter-finals are scheduled for April 2 and 9, 2025. Other matchups feature Zamalek SC of Egypt taking on Stellenbosch FC from South Africa, ASEC Mimosas of Ivory Coast against Morocco’s RS Berkane, and CS Constantine facing off with USM Alger. The outcomes will set the stage for the semi-finals, with significant stakes involved for the winning teams.
On the U-17 front, teams from the CECAFA Zone, including Uganda and Tanzania, are set to compete, having been placed together in Group A of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 draw, held on Thursday in Cairo. This tournament, which will feature 16 teams and take place from March 30th to April 19th, 2025, presents great opportunities for young talent. The top ten teams will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, set to be staged later this year in Qatar.
Somalia will also participate, having qualified through the CECAFA Zonal qualifiers after finishing third, where they clinched victory against South Sudan. Their inclusion, alongside Uganda, Tanzania, and Gambia from the WAFU-UFOA Zone A, showcases the growing competitive spirit and development of youth football within the region.
CECAFA has officially opened the bidding process for various competitions planned for 2025, with the deadline for submissions set for February 21st of the same year. Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Director, has invited interested member associations to submit their bid documents, indicating their desired competitions to host. This move is seen as instrumental for regional football development, allowing member associations to showcase their capabilities.
With seven exciting tournaments lined up, including the CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship and various senior and youth championships, the bidding process signifies CECAFA's commitment to enhancing football across eastern and central Africa.
Meanwhile, on the club level, former PSL striker Prince Dube is making waves as he competes for the Golden Boot at Young Africans. The Zimbabwean forward has made significant contributions to the team, scoring ten goals so far this season. Young Africans lead the Tanzanian Premier League with 55 points, enjoying dominant performances as they strive for the title. With nine matches left, he remains one to watch as the race intensifies.
The Maine Premier League is heating up as Simba SC prepares to face Azam FC, both clubs being powerhouses of Tanzanian football. The kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM East African Time, and this match is expected to have significant ramifications for the title race. Under Fadlu Davids’ management, Simba SC boasts impressive statistics of 16 wins from 19 matches, demonstrating their strength, especially with the defensive prowess on display this season. Azam FC, having hit some rough patches, must rally to secure important points if they desire to stay within title contention.
With the league race gaining momentum, expect this clash to be intense, filled with high stakes and fierce competition from both sides. This period is certainly pivotal for Tanzanian football as club and youth teams prepare for their respective challenges, promising thrilling matches and potential breakthroughs for aspiring players.