Merriekh SC Bentiu Set for Maiden CECAFA Kagame Cup Appearance

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By: Emmanuel Patrick Laku - Juba, South Sudan –

El Merriekh SC Bentiu will make their first-ever appearance in the CECAFA Kagame Cup 2025, scheduled for September 2–15 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with the draw set for August 26th.

The South Sudan Premier League club was nominated by the South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) after Kator FC turned down an invitation to participate in the tournament.

 This development followed CAF’s decision to reject Kator from representing the country in the CAF Confederation Cup.

El Merriekh’s involvement in the Kagame Cup is seen as a crucial preparation for their upcoming campaign in the CAF Confederation Cup, where they will represent South Sudan at continental level. 

The tournament will give the Bentiu-based side exposure to regional competition and help them build the experience needed for the challenges ahead.

The Kagame Cup will bring together 12 teams, including: Singida Black Stars FC (Tanzania), APR FC (Rwanda), Vipers SC (Uganda), Mogadishu City Club (Somalia), Mlandege SC (Zanzibar), Kenya Police FC (Kenya), Flambeau du Centre (Burundi), Garde Cotes FC (Djibouti), Ethiopian Coffee SC (Ethiopia), Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan), and Al Ahly SC Wad Madani (Sudan).

Youssuf Mossi, CECAFA Competitions Manager, said the tournament provides the right platform for clubs to prepare for CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup campaigns.

For El Merriekh SC Bentiu, the Kagame Cup is more than just a debut — it is a chance to raise South Sudan’s football profile and show that the nation can compete on the regional stage.

Follow Sports Hunter South Sudan for exclusive coverage of El Merriekh’s Kagame Cup 2025 journey and their build-up to the CAF Confederation Cup.

#ElMerriekh #SouthSudanFootball #KagameCup2025 #CECAFA

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