The ninth edition of the CECAFA Cup , officially the 1981 Palmares CECAFA Championship , took place from November 14th to 28th, 1981 in Tanzania . Eight East and Central African teams played here for the title of East and Central African champions. Kenya won its second title. Somalia withdrew its participation before the tournament started.
The eight participating countries played in two groups of four teams each. The group runner-up played against the group leader of the other group in the semi-finals. The two semi-final winners played for the title in the final. The semi-final losers played for third place.
Kenya
Tanzania
Malawi
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Zanzibar
Uganda
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Zambia
Zimbabwe
Sudan
