Uganda Premier League side NEC FC have pulled out of the 2025 CECAFA Kagame Cup in Dar es Salaam, choosing to focus on their debut in the CAF Confederation Cup.
NEC, last season’s league runners-up, were invited to replace champions Vipers SC, but the late notice forced the club to shift priorities.
The Kagame Cup was meant to prepare the team for continental action, with NEC initially drawn in Group B alongside APR FC (Rwanda), Bumamuru FC (Burundi), and Mlandege FC (Zanzibar) before confirming their withdrawal.
Attention now turns to the CAF Confederation Cup, where NEC face Nairobi United (Kenya) in the preliminary round.
A win would set up a tough second-round clash against either Al Ahly Madani (Sudan) or Étoile du Sahel (Tunisia), with a valuable group-stage spot up for grabs.
Domestically, NEC are also preparing for the FUFA Super 8 return leg against Express FC, trailing 1-0 from the first leg at Lugogo.
Meanwhile, the Kagame Cup opened in style as Kenya Police FC thrashed Garde Cotes FC 4-0 in Group A.
Elsewhere, 10-man Ethiopian Coffee SC held Tanzania’s Singida Black Stars FC to a goalless draw. Group B action continues Wednesday with last year’s finalists APR FC facing Bumamuru FC, before hosts KMC FC take on Mlandege FC.
