NEWS
CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup: South Sudan storm semis, Uganda out
South Sudan and Tanzania have this afternoon booked places in the semi finals of the CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup ongoing in the Ethiopian town of Bahir Dar.
In the first game South Sudan defeated Djibouti 2-0 to finish second in Pool B, but qualified as the best runner-up among all the three pools.
After dominating the first half and missing several scoring opportunities, the South Sudan team returned determined and scored two second half goals through Mabior Akeck Aluk after 87 minutes and a penalty converted by Dominic Angelo Kornelio.
Djibouti also had Mohamed Fouad Mohamed and Abass Fouad Abdourahman miss the target early in the second half.
Abkar Abdelkarim Mutwakil, the South Sudan captain said they played their hearts out as a team and were determined to win.
In the second game Tanzania with stood a lot of pressure, but still managed to draw 1-1 with Uganda to book their place in the knock out stage.
Tanzania’s goalkeeper Boniface Mnata Metacha stopped Steven Dese Mukwala’s penalty early in the game after Sospeter Israel Bajana had handled the ball in the box. But the Tanzanian team also earned a penalty after Msehack Abraham Mwamita had been brought down in the box. Sospeter Isreal Bajana stepped forward and sent the Ugandan goalkeeper Charles Lukwago the wrong side after 30 minutes.
The Ugandan team put a lot of pressure as the Tanzanians defended in numbers. In the second half Mukwala leveled matters for Uganda when he slotted in after 40 minutes.
Uganda continued to dominate the match, but the Tanzanian team defended well to book a place in the knock out stage. Tanzania beat guest side Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in their opening match.
“I am delighted that we are through to the semi final after a very tough game against Uganda,” said Tanzania’s head coach Kim Poulsen.
Uganda’s coach Morley Byekwaso said that the penalty miss had brought Tanzania back into the game. “Although we have failed to make it to the next stage, I am happy that the boys managed to express themselves well,” added Byekwaso.
Tanzania will now face South Sudan, while Kenya battle Burundi in the semi-finals. While the Djibouti team that is ranked ninth after the Pool stage will head back home, the other teams Ethiopia, Uganda, DR Congo and Eritrea will play classification matches.
Sudan giants Al Hilal SC have again written history by winning the 2025/2026 Rwanda Premier League title – BK Pro League.
Last season they also emerged champions of the Mauritania Premier League.
The guest side Al Hilal SC were crowned champions after defeating Gasogi United 2-1 in a League match played on Wednesday.
They finished with 70 points, ahead of army side APR FC who bagged 59 points. Another guest side from Sudan Al Merriekh collected 58 points to finish third.
The two Sudan teams were forced to relocate and play as guest sides in the Rwanda Premier League because of the political conflict that affected Football activities back in Sudan.
Al Hilal SC becomes the first club in history to win top-flight league titles in Sudan, Mauritania and Rwanda.
However, according to the regulations by the Rwanda Premier League Board, Al-Hilal SC will not be allowed to represent Rwanda in African competitions.
Al Hilal SC will still play in the play-offs of the Elite League organized by the Sudan Football Association (SFA) to determine which teams will play in the 2026/2027 CAF competitions.
Handled by Romanian coach Laurențiu Reghecampf, Al-Hilal SC also reached the quarter final stage of the 2025/2026 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
A 10-man Uganda Cubs side have made a winning start in the 2026 TotaIEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which kicked off today in Rabat, Morocco.
The CECAFA side humbled debut making DR Congo 3-0 in their opening Group B match played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex on T8 ground.
Midfielder Own Mukisa gave Uganda the lead after 37 minutes, and Nicholas Kawooya made it 2-0 at the stroke of half time.
The DR Congo team returned charged and tried to push forward, but failed to tame the Ugandan defending line. Uganda had Trevor Mubiru sent-off, but the Cubs still added a goal by substitute Abulshakur Bobi.
“I am very happy that my team was disciplined and managed to score three goals in the opening match,” said Uganda’s head coach Laryea Kingston.
Uganda are now top of Group B after Cote d’Ivoire also defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the earlier match of the same group.
Another CECAFA side Ethiopia started their campaign with a goalless draw against Egypt in a Group A match.
The CECAFA U-17 reigning champions Tanzania will take to the field on Thursday in a Group C match against Mozambique.
The top two teams in each of the four groups earn direct qualification to the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026, while the other two slots are determined via a playoffs. A total of 10 teams will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026.
CECAFA Teams Ethiopia and Uganda will take to the field as the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off on Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco.
The competition will be played in a festival-style competition model with 30 matches to be played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
The opening match on Wednesday between hosts Morocco and Tunisia, semi-finals and final will be played at the Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat.
Ethiopia will face a tough test in a Group A match against Egypt in what promises to be a thriller. Benjamin Ziemer, Ethiopia’s head coach has made it clear that it will be great to have a good start in the competition.
“We have prepared well in Ethiopia and a few days in Morocco and the players are ready for the campaign,” said Ziemer, an American born coach.
Dawit Kassaw Yirdaw who was one of the top scorers in the Zonal qualifiers last last year together with Biyam Abrha will be some of the key Ethiopian players to watch.
Uganda who are not new to this stage will also start their campaign today in a Group B encounter against debut making DR Congo.
The Uganda Cubs will go into the match breathing with some confidence after stopping Mozambique 3-1 and Mali 1-0 in two friendly matches played in Casablanca last week.
“We have prepared very well and the team is looking in shape ahead of our first match. Our major focus is to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup again like the team di last year and later battle for the title,” says Uganda’s head coach Laryea Kingston.
The Uganda Cubs will look to forward Owen Mukisa and instrumental Henry Muhoozi who are expected to play pivotal roles for the team.
The top two teams in each of the four groups earn direct qualification to the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026, while the other two slots are determined via a playoffs. A total of 10 teams will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026.
Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia are the teams that qualified to represent the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) at the 2026 AFCON U-17.
May 13th Fixture
Morocco vs Tunisia (A)
Egypt vs Ethiopia (A)
Cote d’Ivoire vs Cameroon (B)
Uganda vs DR Congo (B)
Aigle Noir Club Sportif are champions of the 2025/2026 Primus Burundi Premier League.
The Makamba based team was crowned last Saturday after their last match that saw them defeat Garage Express FC 1-0.
After 30 matches played Aigle Noir CS finished with 71 points, while Musongati FC came second with 59 points, Flambeau du Centre finished in third place with 56 points.
Aigle Noir CS player Abdi Ineza finished as top scorer with 16 goals.
The three relegated teams include; BG Green Farmers FC, Garage Express FC and Burundi Sport Dynamik.
Aigle Noir CS who are also in the final of the Burundi Cup will now represent Burundi in the 2026/2027 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
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