Tanzania have suffered a 4-1 defeat to Zambia in their first Group A match at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

After a defensive lapse by the Tanzanian team Jonathan Kalimina gave the Junior Chipolopolo the lead after only 8 minutes at the El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia.

Captained by Kassim Juma Tanzania tried to re-organise  themselves and started to create some chances up-front through Jabiri Farijala and Juma Abushiri.

But before the interval Abel Nyirongo made it 2-0 for Zambia after picking a good cross from Nthasilwe Malupande.

After the break Tanzania returned charged and determined to get some goals as they had Juma Sagwe’s shot saved.

But the highly passing Zambian side continued to push forward and Mike Mutale netted their third goal after 79 minutes. Sagwe finally pulled a goal back for Tanzania with a well-timed header that beat Zambia’s goalkeeper Rogers Simumba.

Substitute Gabriel Phiri increased Zambia’s lead with the clock ticking away.

Tanzania will return to action on Thursday with a match against fellow CECAFA side Uganda. The Uganda Cubs lost their opening Group A match 5-0 to hosts Morocco on Sunday night.

Sudan giants Al Hilal are set to face Egypt’s Al Ahly in the first leg of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday night.

Florent Ibenge, the Al Hilal coach has made it clear that the first leg will be very important because it sets the ground for the return leg.

“We know that Al Ahly are a big team that has won several trophies on the continent, but we have tactically prepared and know how we must handle the match. This round is won over two legs and that is what we have prepared for,” says Ibenge.

Although Al Hilal have been disadvantaged to play all their home matches away from Khartoum because of the political instability back in Sudan, they have showed stability and only lost two matches in all 10 matches they have played in the initial stages going into the quarter final.

Al Hilal, the only team in the CECAFA Zone playing in the quarter final stage will look to skipper Muhamed Abdelrahman to lead the team in hunt for goals together with Adam Coulibaly and Burundian International Jean Claude Girumugisha.

To reach the quarter final stage Al Hilal ejected Al Ahly Benghazi (Libya) and San Pedro (Ivory Coast) in the first and second rounds respectively. They went on to top Group A that MC Alger (Algeria), Young Africans SC (Tanzania) and DR Congo’s TP Mazembe.

The other quarter final matches to be played on Tuesday include Pyramids facing AS FAR, Mamelodi Sundowns battling against Esperance de Tunis, and MC Alger taking on Orlando Pirates.

Uganda Cubs made a poor start in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 falling 5-0 to hosts in a Group A match that ended on Sunday night.

Within the early 10 minutes the home side scored two goals through Ilies Belmoktar and Driss at the El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia.

The AS Monaco striker punished the flat footed Ugandan defence after only 3 minutes, and Belmokhtar made it 2-0 off a corner five minutes later.

The CECAFA U-17 reigning champions tried to settle down, but failed to match Morocco’s midfield department. Ziyad Baha also got his name on the score sheet after 24 minutes after converting a penalty.

Uganda later conceded another after 32 minutes with Belmokhtar placing the ball between the legs of past goalkeeper Ashraf Lukyamuzi to make it 4-0.

After the interval Uganda made some changes, but Ziyad Baha netted his second of the night after 72 minutes. The Cubs tried to push forward, but failed to find the goals.

Action shifts to CECAFA’s second representatives Tanzania who face Zambia in another Group A match on Monday at the El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia. On Tuesday Somalia will kick start their Group C campaign with a match against Tunisia.

The top 10 teams at the U-17 AFCON will ends on April 19^th will qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar as the CAF representatives.

CECAFA teams Uganda and Burundi have picked wins in Day 6 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers in matches played on Tuesday.

It was Uganda Cranes who took to the field first and revived their hopes in the Group G campaign with a 1-0 home win against Guinea in a match played at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

Allan Okello netted the lone goal after 36 minutes from a well curved free kick after French based Travis Mutyaba had been fouled by Mohamed Mady Camara.

The win sent Uganda to nine points and 4th in the Group, behind Botswana who later beat Somalia 2-0.

In a Group F match played at the Honneur Stadium in Meknes, Morocco, Burundi humbled Seychelles 5-0.

Christophe Nduwarugira gave Burundi the lead after 22 minutes, and Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana added a brace before the interval.

After recess substitute Bienvenue Kanakimana made it 4-0 for Burundi after 50 minutes. Jean Claude Girumugisha also got his name on the scoresheet after 56 minutes as Burundi run riot. Burundi moved to third place with 10 points behind Gabon and Ivory Coast.

In a Group B match played at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benghazi, Libya, hosts Sudan and South Sudan settled for a 1-1 draw. Muhamed Eisa netted for Sudan after 76 minutes, but substitute David Omot Sebit made it 1-1 for South Sudan eight minutes into added time. Sudan maintain their lead in the Group with 12 points, although DR Congo face Mauritania later in the same Group.

In Group C Rwanda settled for a 1-1 draw against Lesotho in a match played at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali. Jojea Kwizera scored for the hosts after 58 minutes, while Lehlohonolo Fothoane leveled matters for Lesotho.

Later in a Group E match that kicked off after midnight, hosts Morocco defeated Tanzania 2-0 to maintain their lead in the Group.