The 2010 CECAFA friendship and development football tournament has officially kicked off at the Asmara Stadium in Eritrea on Saturday afternoon with the host nation Eritrea and its Tanzanian rivals clashing in the opening match.

During the match both teams performed well and presented fair play with good tactics which attracted all fans and officials at the stadium including CECAFA president Leodegar Tenga and General Secretary Nicholas Musonye.

 

As the game was very hotly-contested both teams had several times managed to score skilled goals but that was not possible and in the 44^th minute of the first half Eritrea got the sole goal from a free kick and the match ended with Eritrea defeating its Tanzanian opponents by a goal to nothing.

 

Before the match kicked off, a very beautiful opening ceremony was held at the Asmara football stadium in the presence of high level dignitaries including CECAFA boss, Eritrean minister for education, sports commissioner and Eritrean football federation president.

 

President of Eritrean football federation and the chairman of local organizing committee Tesfaye Gebreyesus who first addressed at the opening ceremony said that his country had done all it can to have a good tournament here in Asmara and that he was very happy that comfortable match is now taking place.

 

“Eritrean government, people and football federation had all made what ever they can to show the world that a successful match was hosted in Eritrea” Mr. Tesafye said during his address at the opening ceremony.

 

CECAFA president Leodegar Tenga praised Eritrea for its efforts and commitment to host this precious match for youths in the region saying that he was admired at how well Eritrea made preparations for hosting this tournament.

 

He thanked Eritrea for hosting the national teams from nine different countries at good hotels with enough meals and good hospitality.

 

The CECAFA boss has presented very precious awards to the Eritrean sports Commissioner Major General Ramadan Osman and football federation president Tesafye Gebreyesus for their past efforts to develop football in the small east African country.

 

In terms of health, there are well experienced doctors and nurses and high level hospitals allocated to treat the wounded players and even CECAFA officials and all delegates here in Asmara.

 

“I have participated in many CAF and CECAFA tournaments and to my surprise I have never seen such high quality healthy facilities before, I congratulate Eritrea on the good beginning it has made” Somali Coach Mohamed Abdulle farayare told reporters.

 

 NB: The front page photo shows Essey Kiflom (left) of Eritrea challenges Mbwana Ally Samatta of Tanzania during their Cecafa Under 20 championship the Asmara national Stadium on Saturday.Eritrea won 1-0.Cecafa

 

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