For Shame?
The Gossage Cup’s Legacy
May 3, 2026For Shame?
By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (May 17th 2026)
The Forgotten Anniversary – A Shameful History
A fortnight ago, East African football and also African football as a whole wasted a golden opportunity to celebrate a unique achievement. The Landi Mawe Grounds in Nairobi was deserted as Kenyan football failed to commemorate one of its greatest ever achievements.
100 years ago on May 3rd 2026 Kenyan football won African football’s first international tournament by beating Uganda 2-1 in a replay – two days earlier the deadlock could not be broken as the teams drew 1-1.
The first international tournament in African history opened the door to other regional tournaments, and eventually continental tournaments. The Gossage Cup as it was then has now evolved into the CECAFA Cup, so it remains the oldest still active international tournament in African history.
It deserves to be celebrated in Kenya and by CECAFA too. It should be commemorated at the Landi Mawe Grounds and headquarters of the Kenyan Football Federation. I have been raising the anniversary for several months, but the anniversary passed without the celebration it deserved.
The centenary year must not pass without the recognition it deserves.[1]
[1] The thoughts of former Wales international, Nathan Blake, and Nigerian great Segun Odegbami on the importance of the Gossage Cup will be published here soon.
