Nigeria: Nigeria Pull Out of Cecafa U-17 Tourney - 2009

News Results & standings Fixtures Teams Qualifiers Referees Host country Regulations Committee Media Channel Photos Videos Past competitions Logo Mascot Trophy

NEWS

Nigeria: Nigeria Pull Out of Cecafa U-17 Tourney

08-18-2009

Nigeria: Nigeria Pull Out of Cecafa U-17 Tourney

Zoom

CECAFA secretary Nicholas Musonye said the young Eagles informed him of their withdrawal, citing other commitments in Europe.

Nigeria, who were one of the two guest nations in the competition, will now be replaced by Malawi, who had been put on standby.

The other guest side is Egypt.

Musonye said it is a big blow that the three time World champions at Under-17 level have pulled out, as their presence would have added more spice to the East African championships.

"Nigeria is an experienced nation in the Under-17 competition, having won the World title severally. Their presence would have given boys from this region some lessons, as we aim to build strong youth sides. However, we understand their reason to withdraw and hope to invite them again," said Musonye at a press conference.

"But now we have Malawi, who were on standby. We have communicated with them and they will be replacing the Nigerian."

Musonye, however, said Egypt have confirmed their participation in the competition that kicks off on August 19 in Sudan's three cities - Khartoum, Juba and Medani. Nigeria and Egypt will represent Africa in the World Under-17 championships in November in Nigeria.

Kenya, under coach Rajab Babu, open their title campaign with a match against Uganda on August 19 in Juba. Kenya will then face Zanzibar in their subsequent match on August 21, before meeting Ethiopia two days later.

Participants in the competition include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Somalia and Eritrea. Burundi are the defending champions.

Musonye also sounded a warning to age cheats, saying the council had put in place a mechanism for determining the players' age.

"We are not going to entertain age cheating. We have devised a mechanism to detect age cheating and whoever will be caught shall be chased away and face unspecified disciplinary measures," he warned.

Sudan President Omar al -Bashir has sponsored the tournament to the tune of 700,000 US dollars.

RESULTS

Swaziland