Kator FC Reverses Decision, Confirms Participation in CECAFA Kagame Cup

By Emmanuel Patrick Laku | Sports Hunter South Sudan

CAF Decision Sparks Shock and Withdrawal

Kator Football Club has confirmed they will participate in the 2025 CECAFA Kagame Cup, overturning their earlier decision to withdraw.

The club had initially pulled out after receiving a letter from CAF, through the South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) on August 5, 2025, informing them that they had been removed from the CAF Confederation Cup.

“We sat down as Kator FC board of directors and decided that twe cannot compete for the CECAFA Kagame Cup because they gave us the second option to go and represent the country in CECAFA,” said Secretary General Robert Ohiya in an exclusive interview with Sports Hunter South Sudan.

Rules and Fairness at the Heart of Kator’s Objection

 Kator FC strongly objected to being replaced in the CAF Confederation Cup, which according to them, should have been their right as runners-up of the South Sudan Premier League.

“But unfortunately, when we heard the outcome on the 5th, it really shocked us. Because of that shock and lack of preparedness and the morale, we made the decision not to represent. And that is why we put our position very clearly that we cannot represent in that Kagame Competition,” Ohiya explained.

SSFF Newly Elected President Steps In

Ohiya disclosed that just four days ago, the new SSFF President Francis Amin Michael took initiative to mediate the situation. He instructed SSFF Secretary General Victor Lawrence Lual to reach out to Kator FC in hopes of convincing the club to reconsider.

“So when they came to us, talked to us, we also took this to the administration, as well as fans of Kator FC across the country. We shared that they wanted us to again reverse the idea of not participating, to participate in the Kagame Cup,” said Ohiya.

Kator FC Makes U-Turn After Evaluation

After consulting internally and with their fan base, Kator FC decided to accept the offer to compete in the Kagame Cup.

“We don’t want to disappoint the new president. As a club, we would like to build our relationship. Secondly, we don’t like to disengage from this competition because our fans are saying the team will also have that chance to prepare for the incoming Premier League, expected to start next month on the 13th. So based on these two reasons — building our trust and relationship with the new president of SSFF and also to prepare our team — this time round we accepted, and now we are preparing ourselves. " Ohiya added

Departure to Dar es Salaam Imminent

Kator FC is now finalizing preparations and is expected to travel to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, within two days as they begin their campaign for the regional tournament.