Eritrean international Robel Michael Tekle has said they hope that the 2020 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup can take place despite the COVID-19 challenges.

Tekle who captained the Eritrean national team to second place in the regional tournament played in Uganda last year said that they cannot wait to have another go at the title.

“We are praying that the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup takes place this year so that we can have chance to showcase what we have as a team. This year we have not had a lot of action because of the COVID-19,” said Tekle.

However, because of the challenges of COVID-19 most of the tournaments planned by Cecafa to take place this year are likely to be cancelled.

Last year hosts Uganda beat Eritrea 3-0 in the final of the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup at the StarTimes Stadium, Lugogo. But the Eritrean team put up a good show including eliminating the fancied Kenyan team at the semi-final stage.

During last year’s tournament Eritrea drew 0-0 against Somalia and stopped Burundi 1-0. They also humbled Djibouti 3-0, but lost 2-0 to Uganda in the group stage. The Eritrean team went ahead to defeat Kenya 4-1 at the semi-final stage before falling 3-0 to Uganda Cranes in the final.