Rwanda communicated that they will not to take part in this year’s CECAFA U-23 tournament slated to take place in Ethiopia next week.
The development was confirmed through a statement released by Federation Rwandaise de Football Association on Friday.
They are sighting the ‘recrudescence’ of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region and Rwanda in particular as the reason they have decided to pull out.
“Reference is made to the new COVID-19 preventive measures drawn by the Government of Rwanda imposing partial lockdown on most activities including contact and team sports as well as movement restrictions between districts, provinces and the City of Kigali.” Read part of the statement.
Rwanda U23 National Football Team will not participate in the CECAFA U-23 tournament due to be held in Bahir-Dar, Ethiopia from July 17th 2021 to July 31st 2021” read part of the press statement..
Rwanda becomes the first nation to pull out of the tournament that is set to begin next weekend in Ethiopia.
FERWAFA has also confirmed that their Rwandese Women Champions Scandinavia WFC will as well not take part in the Inaugural CAF Women Champions league CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers.
The Qualifiers are scheduled for July 17th to July 31st in Kenya.
Scandinavia withdraw from the tournament leaves group C with only two teams ( FAD Club (Djibouti) and Vihiga Queens (Kenya).