Sudan have qualified for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Sudan team battled from a goal down to defeat Uganda 3-2 in the first semi-final match of the CECAFA Zonal qualifier played on Tuesday at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Richard Okello gave Uganda the lead after only 7 minutes. But three minutes later Rudwan Yahya Mohamed Ishag leveled matters for Sudan.

The two teams continued to attack and create several scoring opportunities, but went into the break with the score board reading 1-1.

After recess, the Sudan got off their blocks faster making it 2-1 after 47 minutes Mazin Fadul Albahli Taoer finishing off past Uganda’s goalkeeper Adrian Isabirye from close range.

But the Uganda team did not give up and equalized through  Derrick Sssozi after 65 minutes. Albahi Taoer netted the winning goal after 83 minutes to send Sudan into the 2027 CAF U-20 AFCON.

“I am very happy that I have scored two goals to help Sudan qualify for AFCON,” said an emotional Albahi Taoer after the match.

Salaheldin Ahmed Nuoreldin Ahmed, the Sudan head coach thanked his players for the work well done. “It was not an easy match. But we thank Allah for guiding us into the AFCON U-20,” said a happy Ahmed.

As Sudan wait to play the final on Thursday, the second semi-final match between Burundi and Tanzania will take place later this afternoon.

The draw for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 CECAFA qualifiers will take place on September 23^rd in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Yusuf Mossi, the Competitions Manager of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) said the draw will be hosted at Azam TV studios.

“We are delighted that our broadcast partners Azam TV have accepted to host the draw,” said Mossi.

The Zonal qualifiers are set to take place October 10-20^th in the Rwandan capital Kigali. “Ten Member Associations have registered their teams for the qualifiers,” confirmed Mossi.

The best three teams will qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.

Tanzania are the reigning champions after they defeated Uganda in the final last year when the tournament was held in Ethiopia.

Teams: Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan

The semi-final stage is finally set at the on-going 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

Tanzania, Uganda and Sudan booked their places on Saturday to join Burundi who qualified two days earlier.

In the first Group C match played Kenya came from a goal down to force a draw against South Sudan in a match played at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Jonathan Ajoung gave South Sudan the lead after 26 minutes, but Brigthon Nacheri leveled matters in added time to ensure Kenya walked a way with a point in the tournament. The two teams bowed out after finishing with 1 point each.

The draw in the first match automatically saw Uganda and Sudan who were set to play the next match qualify before kicking a ball because they already had three points each respectively.

Uganda later picked a 1-0 win against Sudan as coach Laryea Kingston’s team maintained their 100% winning run to top Group B. Substitute Amour Munogera scored the lone goal.

In that last match of the day hosts Tanzania defeated Ethiopia 4-0. Bashiri Salum Kibaila netted a first half brace, while Juma Sagwe also scored a brace in the second half for the Ngorongoro Boys.

The semi finals will be played on Tuesday with Uganda facing Sudan, while Tanzania take on Burundi in what promises to be explosive.

The finalists will automatically qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.

Group A standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Tanzania   2     2    0    0    7     0     7     6

Rwanda     2     0    1    1    0     3    -3     1

Ethiopia    2     0    1    1    0     4    -4     1

Group B standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Uganda     2     2    0    0    5     1     4     6

Sudan        2     1    0    1    3     1     2     3

Djibouti     2     0    0    2    1    7    -6     0

Group C standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Burundi     2     2    0    0    6     0     6     6

Kenya        2     0    1    1     1     3   -2     1

S. Sudan    2     0    1    1    1     5    -4     1

The national team of Sudan has intensified preparations in Taif, Saudi Arabia ahead of their 2027 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier matches.

Sudan will host Ethiopia in Juba on September 25^th and face Mozambique four days later in Maputo in Group J matches.

James Kwesi Appiah, the Sudan head coach has made it clear that they are looking forward to making a good start in the qualifiers because their target is to qualify for the AFCON 2027.

“We have had players joining the team in groups because many have been busy with their teams in CAF competitions,” added Appiah.

Nine other teams in the CECAFA Zone are also preparing ahead of Day 1 of the AFCON qualifiers.

South Sudan under a new coach Christian N’Sengi-Biembe are also preparing to play away to Malawi in a Group B match, while Rwanda will host Liberia in a Group K tie on the September 25^th.

Eritrea who qualified from the preliminary stage will play away to Kenya, while Somalia travel to face The Gambia in Group D and C matches respectively. Uganda and Burundi will travel to face Tunisia and Togo respectively.

The AFCON 2027 will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Day 1 matches for CECAFA teams

Group B: Malawi vs South Sudan

Group C: Gambia vs Somalia

Group D: Kenya vs Eritrea

Group H: Tunisia vs Uganda

Group I: Togo vs Burundi

Group J: Sudan vs Ethiopia

Group K: Rwanda vs Liberia

Group L: Tanzania vs Guinea