NEWS
South Sudan stop Central African Republic, Uganda Hippos held in U-20 AFCON
The Young Bright Stars of South Sudan got their campaign back on track with a hard fought 1-0 win against The Central African Republic in a Group B match played on Thursday night at the U-20 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.
After losing 2-1 in their opening match to Congo Brazzaville, the South Sudan team returned determined to collect maximum points to brighten their chances of making it to the knock out stage.
It was Paul Mara Jawa’s converted penalty in the first half at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt that earned South Sudan the vital three points.
Coach Peter James’ team dominated play against The Central African Republic, but failed to find more goals. “We are very happy that we get our first win in this tournament and we now look forward to our last group match against Uganda. The players are happy and determined to play their hearts out,” added a happy Peter James.
In the second Group B match played at the same Stadium, Uganda Hippos were held 2-2 by a 10-man Congo Brazzaville team.
Josna Loulendo gave the Congo team the lead after six minutes, but the Hippos leveled matters Titus Ssematimba after goalkeeper Christophe Wamba’s error. After 30 minutes the CECAFA Zonal champions made it 2-1 with Saidi Mayanja tapping from close range an Isma Mugulusi cross. Congo Brazzaville had skipper Claude Ngongara sent off for a second bookable offence before the break.
The Red Devils later equalized through Prince Mombouli and defended well to keep Hippos at bay.
Uganda Hippos coach Jackson Mayanja said his players did not play according to the style expected. “We missed a couple of chances, many chances were wasted so there’s nothing to say, Congo is a lucky team,” added Mayanja.
The CECAFA representatives Uganda Hippos and South Sudan will clash in their last crucial Group B match on February 26th, the same day The Central African Republic battle Congo Brazzaville in Cairo.
Group B standing
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Congo 2 1 1 0 4 3 1 4
Uganda 2 1 1 0 4 3 1 4
S. Sudan 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
CAR 2 0 0 2 1 3 -2 0
Several teams have arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania ahead of the CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship.
The teams from Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda have already jetted in ahead of the season opening CECAFA 2026 tournament.
Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Manager of Competitions told Cecafaonline today that they are happy all the team will be in Dar es Salaam before the tournament kicks off on June 13th.
“We expect this tournament to help players in the Zone get good International exposure, but it will also help the Kenya team prepare better ahead of their last qualifying match in the FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifiers,” added Mossi.
He also made it clear that CECAFA has selected all female referees to handle the tournament.
Kenya will face Sudan in the opening match of Group A on June 13th, the same day hosts Tanzania will battle Somalia at the KMC Stadium.
Two Group B matches between South Sudan and Zanzibar, and Uganda against Djibouti will take place on June 14th at the Azam Complex.
The competition which will attract eight teams including debutants Somalia and Sudan will climax on June 23rd.
Group A: Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan
Group B: Uganda, South Sudan, Djibouti, Zanzibar
The Harambee Stars of Kenya have settled for a 1-1 draw against Lesotho in an International friendly match played on Thursday in Pretoria, South Africa.
Frank Odhiambo gave Kenya the lead after 14 minutes at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
The two teams continued to create some decent scoring opportunities, but failed to convert them.
After recess the Lesotho team re-organised themselves and leveled matters through Thabo Makhele. The match ended 1-1 and the two teams will face-off again on June 7th at the same Stadium.
Ethiopia will also be in action against Malawi on June 6th at the Addis Ababa Stadium, and the second match to be played after three days.
The other teams from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda had their scheduled matches in Morocco cancelled due to sanitary and public health considerations.
The teams are using the FIFA Window to play International friendly matches as they prepare ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifiers.
Gor Mahia FC have been crowned 2025/2026 FKF Premier League champions.
Handled by coach Charles Akonnor, the Gor Mahia side lost their last match 1-0 to Nairobi United at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
The defeat did not spoil the party as the giants lifted their 22nd League title and were crowned at the same Stadium. “We are vey happy that after a tough season we emerged champions. I thank the team and management for the efforts,” added coach Akonnor.
Gor Mahia FC completed the League with 69 points from 34 matches played, while second placed AFC Leopards collected 64 points, and Kenya Police FC in third place with 55 points.
K’Ogalo will receive KSh15 million (approximately $116,000) in prize money and return to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League next season.
The Sudan Football Association (SFA) has organized two Football development workshops in the capital Khartoum.
The development comes after over two years of non activity because of the civil war that started in 2023.
Besides the referees and assessors workshop taking place, the Elite League is also on-going.
Ali Ahmed, the Head of Referees at the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) is conducting the two week workshop for referees and assessors at the Sudan Football Association (SFA) Technical Centre.
“We are very happy to have these workshops back in Sudan because Football contributes a big role in peace and integration here. CECAFA is also proud to support Sudan in Football development,” added Ahmed.
Osama Atta Elmanan Hassan, the SFA Vice President says they are glad to have Football back to Khartoum and also organize Football development workshops.
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