The first match was played between the Kenyan and Ugandan national teams in May 1926, with Kenya winning 2–1 in a replay.

The tournament was sponsored by the soap manufacturer Gossage, owned by the British Lever Brothers.

In 1967, the competition was renamed to the East and Central African Senior Challenge Cup.

It was scheduled to take place in Ethiopia from 24 November to 9 December,[7][8] but the nation withdrew from hosting the tournament in October due to "domestic and international engagements",[9] according to CECAFA secretary-general Nicholas Musonye.

Musonye also announced that Sudan as one of the countries that could have replaced Ethiopia as the hosts of the tournament.