NEWS
Ethiopian Football Federation part ways with head coach Wubetu
The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has parted ways with head coach Wubetu Abate.
EFF announced today that following Abate’s resignation later submitted last week, they have agreed to part ways with the coach by mutual consent.
“Following the decision of the EFF executive committee to accept the resignation, the contract has been terminated by mutual consent,” said the communication by the Federation.
Abate was appointed coach of Ethiopia’s national team in September 2020 after the Federation opted not to renew the contract of former coach Abraham Mebratu.
“ I sincerely thank you for the contributions you have made to our country as head coach of the Ethiopian Senior men national team. I wish you all the best,” said the EFF General Secretary Bahiru Tilahun.
The experienced Abate was also head coach for the national team when it failed to make it out of the group stage at the recent 2022 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) held in Algeria.
In the on-going 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers under the guidance of Abate Ethiopia is bottom of Group D after four matches with 3 points after their famous 2-0 win against Egypt. But the Ethiopian team has only picked one win and lost three matches.
Abate, a former player, managed numerous domestic sides, including Adama City, Ethiopian Coffee, Dedebit, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia, Hawassa City, Fasil Kenema, and Sebeta Town FC. He also had a brief stint at Sudanese Premier League side, Al Ahli Shendi. He led Ethiopian Coffee to their first ever major trophy in a decade back in 2011. He also won the 2019 Ethiopian Cup with Fasil Kenema.
The Walias of Ethiopia are expected to have a new coach when they tour the United States of America in July this year.
CAF Confederation Cup
Azam FC, Singida Black Stars qualify for CAF Confederation Cup group stage
Tanzanian Premier League sides Azam FC and Singida Black Stars FC have qualified for the group stage of the 2026/2027 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
In the matches played last weekend Singida Black Stars FC settled for a 1-1 draw in a return leg second preliminary round match against Tusker FC (Kenya) to advance on a 2-1 goal aggregate.
The Brewers went into the game seeking to overturn a 1-0 deficit suffered in the first leg in Nairobi a fortnight ago.
Singida Black Stars took the lead after 67 minutes through Jonathan Sowah at the Azam Complex. Victor Mbaoma equalised for Tusker after 81 minutes.
For a second successive season Azam FC also progressed to the group stage after stopping Egypt’s ZED 1-0 in a match played at the Azam Complex on Saturday.
Iddy Nado netted the lone goal after 66 minutes to hand coach Florent Ibenge a win and qualify on a 2-1 goal aggregate.
Uganda’s Kitara FC also failed to progress to the the next round of the competition losing 4-0 away to powerhouse Al Ahly of Egypt in match played on Sunday at the Cairo International Stadium. The African giants went on to qualify on a 6-1 goal aggregate.
Ethiopia’s Welwalo Adigrat also suffered a 4-1 away defeat to Al Ahli Tripoli in Libya to bow out on an 8-1 goal aggregate. After losing the first leg 2-0 in Kigali, Rwanda’s Premier League side Rayon Sports FC managed to pick a 2-2 draw away to Black Bulls FC, but failed to progress to the next stage.
Azam FC and Singida Black Stars FC who are making their second successive appearance in the group stage will now await the draw for the group stage that will be conducted by CAF on October 28th in Cairo, Egypt.
Collected results for CECAFA teams
Al Ahly 4 Kitara FC 0
Azam FC 1 ZED 0
Al Ahli Tripoli 4 Welwalo Adrigat 1
Singida Black Stars 1 Tusker FC 1
Black Stars FC 2 Rayon Sports FC 2
CAF Champions League
Young Africans SC first team to qualify for CAF Champions League group stage
Tanzania’s Young Africans SC are the first team to qualify for the group stage of the 2026/2027 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
The Tanzanian giants defeated CFFA (Madagascar) 4-1 in the return leg of the second preliminary round in a match played on Wednesday at Azam Complex in Chamazi, Dar es Salaam.
After a 4-0 win in the first leg and a convincing win in the second leg, Young Africans SC have qualified on an 8-1 goal aggregate.
Ibrahim Kazimoto scored the opener after 27 minutes to give the home side the lead. A second-half brace by Selemani Mwalimu made it 3-0 for Young Africans, before CFFA pulled a goal back after 75 minutes. Later teenager Juma Issa Abushuri scored Young Africans 4th goal.
Manqoba Mngqithi, Young Africans SC’s head coach says he is happy to qualify for the group stage of the competition. “I am happy that we are through to the group stage and now we return to the drawing board to prepare for other matches in the bust season,” says Mngqithi.
In another CAF Champions League match played in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday, Simba SC humbled 15 de Agosto 6-1 in the delayed first leg of the second preliminary round.
Ibrahim Doumbia netted a brace, while Nathaniel Chilambo, Elie Mpanzu, Keletso Makgalwa and Anicet Alain Oura scored for the Tanzanian Premier League side. The Equatorial Guinean team netted a consolation goal in added time.
The other second leg matches involving teams from the CECAFA Zone will be played over the weekend. Rwanda’s APR FC will play away to Zamalek, El Merriekh SC Bentiu will battle Pyramids FC, while Al Merrikh (Sudan) host Horoya Ac, all on October 24th.
On Sunday Al Hilal (Sudan) will host Ethiopia’s Sidama Bunna in Kigali, while Simba SC play the return leg against 15 de Agosto also in Dar es Salaam.
NEWS
Uganda Cubs win 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON Zonal qualifiers
The Uganda Cubs are the winners of the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
Coach Kingston Laryea’s team stopped Somalia 6-5 in penalty shoot-outs of the final played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Monday.
The two teams created several scoring opportunities, but it was Uganda’s goalkeeper David Ssegirinya who stood firm making two crucial saves in the last five minutes of the match.
During the penalty shoot-outs Ssegirinya again stopped three penalties to ensure Uganda walked away with the trophy. and stopped
It is now Uganda’s third time to win the title in the last six months after also winning in 2020 and 2024.
“I am very happy with the players because we worked so hard topped the group, beat Ethiopia in the semis and now lifted the trophy after winning in the penalties,” said a happy Uganda Cubs coach Laryea.
Henry Muhoozi, Uganda’s captain said it was a very happy moment for him captaining the national team to victory and qualifying for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. “We are very proud of ourselves and than everyone for the support,” added Muhoozi.
Dadir Amin Ali, the Somalia head coach thanked his players for working hard to qualify for the CAF U-17 AFCON and reaching the final. “As a coach I am very proud of my boys because it has been real hard work,” added Ali.
The qualifiers attracted nine teams after Djibouti pulled out few days to kick-off.
NEWS
Muhoozi voted Best Player in CAF U-17 AFCON Zonal qualifiers
Uganda Cubs captain Henry Muhoozi has been voted the Best Player at the just concluded TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
Muhoozi who featured in all four matches putting up a good show team guided the Cubs to win the Zonal qualifiers at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Monday.
CECAFA Vice President, and President of the Somali Football Federation (SFF), Ali Abdi Muhamad presented the Award to Muhoozi during the Awards ceremony at the Kigali Pele Stadium.
“I am very delighted winning this Award and it will always mean a lot to me me and motivate me to keep working hard,” said Muhoozi.
Uganda’s duo of David Ssegirinya and Arnold Kayemba (four goals) also scooped the Best goalkeeper and top scorer’s Awards respectively.
Ethiopia who lost 2-1 to hosts Rwanda in the third place play-off picked the Fair Play Award, Rwanda the bronze medals, while Somalia collected silver and Uganda the gold.
The other officials who graced the Awards ceremony included; Richard Mugisha, the Second Vice President of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) In-charge of Technical Matters, Jean Sseninde, the CECAFA Interim Executive Director, Ronnie Kalakire, the 1st Secretary at the Uganda High Commission and the Uganda U-17 team Head of Delegation, Mansoor Kabuye.
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