Since its establishment in 1998 by the Zanzibar Football Federation, the Mapinduzi Cup has been a regional club competition. In 2023, Rwanda's APR FC participated but was eliminated in the semi-finals after a penalty shootout.
This year, however, the tournament organizers have decided to invite national teams to participate, marking a significant change in the competition's structure.
The decision to include national teams was made to provide key preparation for Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya, the three countries set to co-host CHAN 2024.
The invitation to these teams, including Rwanda, allows them to fine-tune their squads and strategies ahead of the continental competition, providing them with valuable game time against high-level opposition.
Other countries invited to the tournament include Kenya, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Uganda, and Zanzibar. This represents a unique opportunity for these teams to engage in competitive matches in the build-up to the much-anticipated CHAN tournament.
The Federation of Rwanda Football Associations (FERWAFA) confirmed that the national team, Amavubi, had received an invitation to participate in the Mapinduzi Cup. However, FERWAFA's General Secretary, Adolphe 'Camarade' Kalisa, noted that this tournament had not been part of their original schedule.
As of now, the decision on whether to accept or decline the invitation has not yet been made, with the federation still considering their options.
Sam K Nkurunziza
