Harambee Stars players line up before a previous match. Stars will play against Tanzania, Libya, Rwanda and Zanzibar in group A of CECAFA. [Photo/ebru.co.ke]
National Soccer team Harambee Stars has landed in the group of death, in the upcoming Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) senior challenge cup.
According to the draw released today in Nairobi under the stewardship of CECAFA Secretary general Nicholas Musonye, Harambee Stars will play against Tanzania, Libya, Rwanda and Zanzibar in group A. Group B consists of defending Champions Uganda, South Sudan, Zimbabwe, Burundi and Ethiopia.
Each group will feature five teams. The two best teams will qualify for semi finals after group matches.
Hosts Kenya, defending champions Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zanzibar, South Sudan, Burundi and Ethiopia are from the CECAFA region while Libya and Zimbabwe have been invited.
The tournament will be held in Kenya starting December 3. The final will be played on December 17. Initially, the tourney was set to start on November 25 and end on December 9, before being rescheduled.
Moi stadium in Kisumu, Bukhungu in Kakamega and Afraha in Nakuru will be the venues, with Kasarani in Nairobi, Mumias Sports Complex in Mumias and Kenyatta in Machakos, being set aside as alternative venues in case of bad weather.
According to CECAFA, the matches will be broadcast live by Tanzania based Azam TV.
Harambee Stars last won the CECAFA senior challenge in 2013 when the tournament was held Nairobi. Stars defeated Sudan 2-0 in the final.
The Stanly Okumbi coached side has won CECAFA six times: 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2002 and 2013, and finished runners up in seven editions: 1979, 1985, 1991, 1999, 2001, 2008 and 2012.