International football competition
International football competition
The 2021 CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup was 41st edition of the annual CECAFA Cup, an international football competition consisting of the national U-23 teams of member nations of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA). 
This year's tournament was reserved for U23 players but teams were allowed to field up to three players over 23.
It took place in Ethiopia from 17 July to 30 July 2021.
Uganda were the defending having won title in 2019. The Democratic Republic of the Congo participated as an invited team.
Participants.
The FIFA World Ranking of participating Men's national football team as of 27 May 2021.
Venue.
All matches are played at Bahir Dar International Stadium located in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Match officials.
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Draw.
The draw ceremony of the tournament took place on 13 July 2021 15:00 local time in Addis Ababa. Nine teams were divided into 3 groups. The top finisher in each group and the best second-placed finisher will qualify for the Semi-finals.
Group stage.
Teams are ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss), and if tied on points, the following tiebreaking criteria are applied, in the order given, to determine the rankings (Regulations Article 9.3)
References.
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