| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | Malawi |
| Dates | November 6–19 |
| Teams | 8 (from CECAFA confederations) |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |  Malawi (3rd title) |
| Runners-up |  Zambia |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 16 |
| Goals scored | 25 (1.56 per match) |
| ← 1987 1989 → | |
The 1988 CECAFA Cup was the 15th edition of the tournament. It was held in Malawi, and was won by the hosts. The matches were played between November 6–19.
Group A
Played in Lilongwe
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malawi
|
5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 |
 Kenya
|
3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | –1 |
 Tanzania
|
2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | –1 |
 Zanzibar
|
2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | –2 |
| Malawi | 0–0 | Tanzania |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | 2–0 | Zanzibar |
|---|---|---|
Motego  ? |
| Malawi | 1–0 | Zanzibar |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | 0–0 | Tanzania |
|---|---|---|
| Malawi | 3–0 | Kenya |
|---|---|---|
| Kayira Chirwa |
| Zanzibar | 1–0 | Tanzania |
|---|---|---|
Group B
Played in Blantyre
| Team | Pts | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zambia
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 |
 Zimbabwe
|
4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 |
 Ethiopia
|
3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
 Uganda
|
1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | –4 |
| Zambia | 0–0 | Ethiopia |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | 0–0 | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | 1–1 | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | 1–2 | Ethiopia |
|---|---|---|
| Zambia | 3–0 | Uganda |
|---|---|---|
| Makinka ? ? |
| Zimbabwe | 2–1 | Ethiopia |
|---|---|---|
Semi-finals
| Malawi | (abandoned) | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
Abandoned in 107' (a.e.t.) at 0–0 due to power failure.
| Malawi | 2–0 (replay) | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Sinalo Kayira |
| Zambia | 1–0 | Kenya |
|---|---|---|
Third place match
| Kenya | 0–0 | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Penalties | ||
| 3–2 | ||
Final
| Malawi | 3–1 (a.e.t.) | Zambia |
|---|---|---|
| Chimodzi Sinalo Kayira |
|