The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has plunged into fresh uncertainty after the ouster of Executive Director Auka Gecheo, ending weeks of speculation about his future.
Gecheo, who took over in March 2020 following the departure of longtime boss Nicholas Musonye, was suspended under unclear circumstances during a virtual Executive Committee meeting chaired by the acting president Alexandre Muyenge. While the official communication was vague, the decision has exposed simmering tensions within the regional football body.
The statement confirming his exit highlighted that the suspension followed a consultative session involving seven member associations—Burundi, Eritrea, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Somalia. CECAFA reassured stakeholders that it remains committed to its core values and promised further updates in the coming weeks.
A Rocky Tenure After Musonye’s Era
Nicholas Musonye had presided over CECAFA for more than two decades, overseeing its most vibrant era marked by well-organized tournaments and strong sponsorship support. However, after his departure, the organization faced a steep decline.
Gecheo, who inherited the leadership as Executive Director after the secretary general’s role was restructured, found himself grappling with dwindling sponsorship and difficulty in staging tournaments. CECAFA’s visibility and influence shrank, with many lamenting that the body had lost its allure after Musonye.
While recent months had shown signs of recovery, with new financial backers coming on board, the leadership crisis now threatens to undo the fragile progress.
Fallout with Member Associations
Behind the suspension lies a reported fallout with a key CECAFA member association. Insiders claim that the relationship between Gecheo and this influential federation had deteriorated, creating pressure within the organization’s top brass to push him out. Speculation suggests that his replacement could come from the same member country that lobbied against him.
The leadership wrangles have once again cast doubt on CECAFA’s ability to deliver consistent football programs in the region. With the regional body already struggling to maintain relevance against other continental competitions, instability at the top could further weaken its standing.
As the search for a new executive director looms, the big question is whether CECAFA can rediscover the unity and stability that once made it a stronghold of East and Central African football.
