NEWS
Hosts Ethiopia face Eritrea in CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup kick-off
The CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup kicks-off this afternoon with hosts Ethiopia facing Eritrea in a Pool B match at the Bahir Dar Stadium.
Although the two teams were meant to clash on Sunday, the match was moved to Saturday following changes in the fixture.
“We are happy that finally the regional tournament is set to kick off here in Ethiopia. We thank all the nine teams that will take part in this tournament and we are hoping to witness a good and competitive tournament,” said Auka Gecheo, the CECAFA Executive Director.
Ethiopia’s head coach Webetu Abate has made it clear that they will be determined to start the tournament with a good result. “It is always good to start such a tournament with a win. But we shall not underrate Eritrea because we know they are a good team,” added Abate.
Eritrea’s captain Robel Teklemichael also made it clear they do not fear facing Ethiopia. “Facing Ethiopia is just like any ordinary match. There is nothing special, only that they are playing at home,” said Teklemichael who captained Eritrea to third place in the 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup held in Uganda.
According to the revised draw Uganda will be in action against guest side Democratic Republic of Congo in the first match on July 18th, before Djibouti battle Kenya in the second game.
Burundi will play their first game on July 20th against Eritrea. A total of 17 matches will be played in the regional tournament which will climax on July 30th.
Pool A: Uganda, Tanzania, DR Congo
Pool B: Ethiopia, Burundi, Eritrea
Pool C: Djibouti, South Sudan, Kenya
Hosts Tanzania and Burundi have recorded convincing wins on Day 1 of the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
Burundi run riot by defeating South Sudan 4-0 in a Group C match played on Tuesday night at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es salaam.
Amini Nshimirimana netted a first half brace for Burundi going into the break. The second half was interrupted by a lighting challenge for close to 30 minutes.
The South Sudan team tried to get their act together, but were erratic at goal. Sympathque Majidi also scored a brace to ensure Burundi walked away with a comfortable win amd maximum points.
“I am very happy with the big win because it gives us a perfect start in the tournament,” said Burundi’s coach Jean De Dieu Rukundo.
The third match of the day saw the 2024 Zonal winners Tanzania defeat Rwanda 3-0. Faraji Kayanda, Juma Aushiri and Evastus Lukanima netted first half goals for the Ngorongoro Boys.
Rwanda’s head coach Andre Mbungo Casa made some changes in the second half as the team team put-up a better display and created some scoring opportunities.
Tanzania’s coach Maria Rivera Campesino said that although his team missed many opportunies, he is happy that they are creating them. “We have started with a win and we could win with a bigger margin in other matches because we keep creating many scoring chances,” added the coach.
Earlier Uganda had defeated Djibouti 4-1 in a Group B match. Action returns on Thursday with three matches on card. Rwanda will take on Ethiopia, while Djibouti face Sudan, while Group C table leaders Burundi face a test against Kenya.
Group A standing
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Tanzania 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3
Ethiopia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Rwanda 1 0 0 1 1 3 -3 0
Group B standing
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Uganda 1 1 0 0 4 1 3 3
Sudan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Djibouti 1 0 0 1 1 4 -3 0
Group C standing
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Burundi 1 1 0 0 4 0 4 3
Kenya 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
S. Sudan 1 0 0 1 0 4 -4 0
The Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) Assembly has re-elected Isayas Jira Bosho President for another 4-year term.
Bosho was unopposed and collected 81 of the 88 votes cast during the elective Assembly held at the European Economic Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa on Tuesday.
Bosho who was first elected President in 2018, will now be serving his third consecutive term to serve till 2030.
“I thank all the members of the Assembly for having confidence in me. Let us work together to make Football in Ethiopia better,” said Jira Bosho.
His re-election represents a significant vote of confidence from members of the Assembly.
He has played an important role in efforts aimed at strengthening and developing football in Ethiopia, with attention placed on the growth of the game and creating a stronger foundation for the country’s football future.
Hassan Suleiman Waberi, President of the Djibouti Football Federation and a FIFA Council Member also graced the Elective Assembly.
Uganda have defeated Djibouti 4-1 in the opening match of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
Isima Magala gave the Ugandan team the lead after only five minutes on Tuesday at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
After 23 minutes substitute Ishak Tahir leveled matters for the Djibouti team. Tahir made no mistake beating the Ugandan goalkeeper Adrian Isabirye.
The Ugandan team lef by captain Ricahrd Okello continued to attack in numbers, but failed to convert. At the stroke of halftime Genesis Ocen Odiya restored Uganda’s lead.
In the second half Uganda returned with more purpose and pushed deep into the Djibouti half. Okello got his name on the score sheet for Uganda after 60 minutes, and Magala netted his second of the day to make it 4-1.
The Djibouti team tried to shoot from outside the box, but failed to find the target for more goals. The win sends Uganda top of Group B before they face Sudan in the last match of the prelimnary stage.
Laryea Kingston, the Uganda coach said although they missed several scoring opportunities, it is good they managed to collect a win in the first match. “We take every match as it comes and work hard to get a win,” added the coach.
His counterpart Abdirahman Ali Abubakar said his team had started well, but failed to defend better.
The second match will see South Sudan face Burundi in a Group C, while hosts Tanzania face Rwanda in a Group A encounter.
Group B standing
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Uganda 1 1 0 0 4 1 3 3
Sudan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Djibouti 1 0 0 1 1 4 -3 0
Three matches are on card as the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers kick-off at the Uhuru Stadium on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
In a Group B battle, Uganda will take on Djibouti in the opening match of the competition.
Layrea Kingston, the Uganda head coach has made it clear that every match in the tournament will be very important because their target is qualification for U-20 AFCON.
“We shall treat the opening match with a lot of seriousness and caution because it will determine the kind of momentum we shall set in the competition,” said Kingston.
The second match will see South Sudan face Burundi in a Group C. John Alier, the South Sudan head coach has also made it clear that they need to work hard and make it through the group to the knock out stage.
“We need to go out and try to win all out group matches because we are targeting qualification for U-20 AFCON,” added the coach.
The third match of the day will see the hosts Tanzania tussle it out against Rwanda in a Group A encounter. The Ngorongoro Heroes are the defending champions in the Zone having lifted the trophy in 2024.
Yusuf Mossi, the Competitions Manager of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has made it clear that they expect a very competitive event. “All the teams have arrived in Dar es salaam and we expect a good competition,” added Mossi.
The semi-final matches will be played September 22nd with Group B winners facing the best second placed team, and Group A winners taking on Group C winners.
The play-off and final will be played on September 24th. The finalists will qualify for the U-20 AFCON 2027.
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