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NECTA releases Form Two and Standard Four national assessment results 2024

Burundi withdrawal forces format change for Mapinduzi Cup

Some players of Kilimanjaro Stars players arrive in Pemba, Zanzibar, ahead of the Mapinduzi Cup tournament scheduled to start tomorrow at the Gombani Stadium. PHOTO |COURTESY

By  Majuto Omary

Sports Reporter

Mwananchi Communications Ltd

What you need to know:

  • All matches are scheduled to take place at the Gombani Stadium in Pemba.

Dar es Salaam. The organisers of the Mapinduzi Cup 2025 have announced significant changes to the tournament format following the withdrawal of the Burundi national team.

Initially, the competition was structured into two groups of three teams, but it will now be played on a league basis, featuring one group.

All matches are scheduled to take place at the Gombani Stadium in Pemba.

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Speaking to The Citizen, Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) President Suleiman Jabir revealed that Burundi’s late withdrawal left organisers scrambling to find a replacement. Efforts to bring in South Sudan were unsuccessful, forcing the tournament to shift to a single-group league format.

“We received Burundi's withdrawal at the last minute, and despite our best efforts to fill the gap, we were unable to secure a replacement. South Sudan, our alternative, also declined to participate,” said Jabir the phone.

Jabir confirmed that the tournament’s revised fixture would be released within a few hours.

Despite the changes, the schedule for the final remains unchanged, with the championship match set to take place on January 13 at the Gombani Stadium.

The remaining teams in the competition are Zanzibar Heroes (hosts), Kilimanjaro Stars (Tanzania Mainland), Harambee Stars (Kenya), The Cranes (Uganda), and Burkina Faso. These teams will now compete in a round-robin format, ensuring that each side plays against all the others.

Traditionally, the Mapinduzi Cup has been a platform for top football clubs from East Africa and invited teams to showcase their talent.

However, the 2025 edition introduces a new twist by including national teams.

This change aligns with preparations for the upcoming continental tournaments, as Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda are set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals and the 2025 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

“This year’s competition offers an excellent opportunity for the competing national teams to prepare for the CHAN tournament,” Jabir explained.

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