Mombasa, Kenya – Regional Rivalries Heat Up as Kenya Hosts Inaugural CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship

The pristine shores of Mombasa will transform into a competitive arena from July 16 to 20, as Kenya hosts the first-ever CECAFA Beach Soccer Championship. The landmark tournament marks a major milestone in the growth of beach soccer across East and Central Africa.

Seven national teams are set to battle it out for regional supremacy, with hosts Kenya opening the championship against Zanzibar on July 16. Kenya has been drawn into Group A, alongside Malawi, Burundi, and Zanzibar, and will be aiming to make a bold statement in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

“We are ready to host the championship,” said CECAFA Executive Director Auka Gecheo, affirming the country’s commitment to the sport’s development.

The top two teams from each group will progress to the semifinals on July 19, with the final and third-place playoff scheduled for July 20. Gecheo also highlighted Kenya’s recent strides in beach soccer, including the establishment of a local league, noting that the tournament will showcase the nation’s growing investment in the sport.

Kenya’s national team, under the leadership of head coach Billy Mwangemi, has been undergoing intensive preparations, including a series of friendly matches in Uganda. With valuable match practice under their belt, the squad is aiming to leverage their momentum and ignite passion for beach soccer along the Kenyan coast.

As the tournament draws near, all eyes will be on Mombasa’s sands, where fierce competition, national pride, and the promise of a new era for beach soccer will come together in a celebration of sport and regional unity.