By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (December 31^st 2025)

History Beckons

May 1^st isn’t just International Labour Day, it is a day steeped in history for African football, but that history, far from being cherished, is in danger of being ignored or a subject to a rushed and botched attempt to commemorate it by the back door. The first international tournament in African history started on that day in 1926 in Nairobi. The second edition took place in Kampala on the same day in 1928.

The Gossage Cup stands tall in the storied past of African football. Long before Bennie McCarthy revived Kenyan pride or Uganda and Tanzania competed in the 35^th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco a forgotten – neglected – era of African football laid the foundation of all that followed in African football.

The inaugural Gossage Cup wasn’t just a milestone for East African football; it was the birth of international football tournaments in Africa. The centenary of the two matches – yes two – as there was a replay two days later, necessitated by the 1-1 draw on May 1^st 1926. Two days later Kenya became the first champions of the tournament that became the CECAFA Cup.

CECAFA (the Council for East and Central African Football Associations) was unofficially formed a year later. It would take almost half a century for this regional body to be official formed, but during the intervening years Uganda hosted the Gossage Cup[1] beginning in 1928 at the Nakivubo Stadium in Kampala,[2] beating Kenya 4-0 although some sources claim that was not the actual score, retaining it 5-3 after extra time, the following year in Nairobi.

1932 saw Uganda wallop Kenya 13-1 – still the worst defeat Kenya has ever suffered. Not even the African team of the 1960s, African champions, Ghana could better that in 1965, although came very close, inflicting a 13-2 thrashing of Kenya in 1965 in 1965 – the late Jomo (Mzee) Kenyatta was a spectator at that match, bemoaning the fact that legendary athlete Kipchoge Keino could not be brought on for his country.

Neglect

Uganda, the other nation involved in the inaugural Gossage Cup wanted to host the tournament the following year – taking it in turns to host – but Kenya, as the champions wanted to host the next edition as champions. Agreement could not be reached, preventing a tournament in 1927. The following year Uganda hosted the Gossage Cup for the first time. This secured the future of the tournament, resulting in the oldest international football tournament in Africa lasting to this day. It paved the way for African international football tournaments.

The Landi Mawe Grounds deserves a better fate. Its rocky start and state of the ground now means that it is fittingly named. The rough translation of the name of the original host, the Landi Mawe, in the local Kiswahili language is rocky place or stony place.

It deserves to be remembered fondly by African football. It deserves to be commemorated and refurbished as best as can be done. The years of neglect and ignorance of its role has cost a great deal. It will never be a modern quality stadium meeting the needs and standards of international football – it’s far too late, but it can be remembered, commemorated and become an integral part of Kenyan sports tourism.

The Landi Mawe Grounds deserve nothing less – it has made one of the most important contributions to African football.  

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[1] The Gossage Cup lasted from 1926-1966. Originally, it was planned that Tanganikya and Zanzibar (now Tanzania) would also take part. Both declined, but joined the tournament just after World War II. In 1967 the Gossage Cup became the short-lived East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup, which lasted for five editions until 1971. It was then replaced by the CECAFA Championship (CECAFA Cup). The last edition took place in 2021 and was won by Tanzania – it would be scandalous if CECAFA, which now boasts 12 members – Eritrea currently does not participate in football to all intents and purposes – does not ensure that its centenary is marked by a revival of that tournament.

[2] Known as the Nakivubo Stadium originally, it was later renamed the Nakivubo II War Memorial Stadium to honour the contribution of Ugandans in the world war against fascism. It is now known as the Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo War Memorial Grounds. It has been refurbished when required and is now a multi-purpose stadium, unlike its Kenyan counterpart.