CAF Confederation Cup
Tanzania’s Young Africans SC send strong message
Young Africans SC last night finished runners-up in the 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
The Tanzanian giants beat hosts USM Alger 1-0 at Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers on Saturday night to finish 2-2 on aggregate, but the Algerians edged them out on an away goals rule.
It was Djuma Shabani’s first half converted penalty that ensured the Young Africans SC team proved a point that they can win away from home. The Tanzanian side also had man of the match Djigui Diarra save USM Alger’s skipper Zineddine Belaid’s second-half penalty.
But as many where celebrating the end of an entertaining final, several other people also noted that Young Africans SC have sent a strong message and represented Tanzania and the CECAFA region well.
Yussuf Mossi, the CECAFA competitions Director noted that Young Africans have proved a point this season that they have been very organized and performed well. “They have sent a strong message home and as CECAFA we are happy with their performance and hope that as a region we keep getting better and better in the CAF competitions,” added Mossi.
Ahmed Ahmed Yusuf, a strong USM Alger supporter also made it clear that the Tanzanian team had sent a strong message to the continent. “Although they did not win the Cup, they have showed that they are an organized team. It is not easy to come here and beat USM Alger at home,” added Yusuf.
“As East Africans we are very impressed with the way Young Africans SC have carried the flag high. They have sent a strong message because they have beaten some strong teams in the continent enroute to the final,” says David Murungi from Rwanda.
Micky Nsuva, who follows a lot of Football in Tanzania told Cecafaonline that Young Africans Sc have been a class apart this season and have represented the country well. “They invested and have planned well and now the results are coming in. They are winning everything in Tanzania and now reached the final in a CAF competition,” added Nsuva.
Samia Suluhu, the President of Tanzania also congratulated the Young Africans SC team. “The history yo have written in your journey to this Championship is great and honorable for Nation. I wish you all the best in your future plans,” added Suluhu.
Although Young Africans SC lost in the final, they had star striker Fiston Kalala Mayele finish top scorer with seven goals, and will also pick a cash prize of US$1 million for finishing second.
After failing to go past Sudan’s Al Hilal in the final TotalEnergies CAF Champions League match to decide if they make it to the group stage, Young Africans SC showed good form I the Confederation Cup by brushing aside the likes of Club Africain, Union Monastirienne (Tunisia), Real Bamako (Maki), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Rivers United (Nigeria) and Marumo Gallants (South Africa).
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
Tanzania Premier League side Singida Black Stars FC have defeated hosts Tusker FC 1-0 in the first leg second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
The two sides had several missed scoring opportunities in the first half at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday in Nairobi.
After recess Jeancy Mboma scored for the visitors to send the local fans silent. Tusker FC tries to fight back, but failed to find the goals.
On Saturday another Tanzanian side Azam FC also picked a vital 1-1 draw away to Egypt’s ZED FC in a match played at the Cairo International Stadium.
Mahmoud Nabil gave the hosts the lead at the stroke of half time, while Lusajon Elukaya Mwaikenda leveled matters for coach Florent Ibenge’s side.
Ethiopia’s Welwalo Adigrat FC also suffered a 4-0 home defeat to Al Ahli Tripoli, while Rayon Sports FC (Rwanda) fell 2-0 to Black Bulls FC at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
On Friday Uganda’s Kitara FC failed to maintain their lead against African giants Al Ahly (Egypt) losing 2-1 at the Hoima City Stadium.
Wahaab Qaddafi gave Kitara FC the lead after 30 minutes, but Omar El Saaiy ‘Zizo’ netted a second half brace to make sure Africa’s most decorated Club walked away with a win.
The teams that win over two legs will qualify for the group stage of the TotaEnergies CAF Confederaton Cup.
Results for CECAFa Teams
Kitara FC 1 Al Ahly 2
ZED FC 1 Azam FC 1
Welwalo Adigrat 0 Al Ahli Tripoli 4
Rayon Sports FC 0 Black Bulls 2
Tusker FC 0 Singida Black Stars FC 1
Kenya’s Tusker FC have progressed to the next round of the 2026/2027 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
After a 2-2 draw in the first leg against Al Ahli Madani (Sudan), Tusker FC managed to pick a 1-0 win in the return leg played at the Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.
Chrispin Erambo netted the lone goal in the second half to guide the Brewers to the next stage of the competition where they will face 2025 CECAFA Kagame Cup winners Singida Black Stars FC.
The Tanzanian stopped Al Ghazala FC (South Sudan) 3-0 in the return leg played on Sunday to sail through 10-1 on goal aggregate.
Kitara FC, Uganda’s Premier League side also defeated Mogadishu City Club 2-0 in the return leg played at the new Hoima City Stadium on Saturday. Jimmy Kalema and Frank Tumwesigye to ensure Kitara FC qualified on a 4-1 goal aggregate. They will next face African giants Al Ahly from Egypt in the next round in October.
Rwanda’s Rayon Sports FC who needed a lone goal to see off Panthere FC (Cameroon) 1-0 on Saturday will now face Black Bulls FC from Mozambique in the second preliminary round.
Welwalo Adigrat FC from Ethiopia who edged Al Hilal Alsahil 4-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw on aggregate will now face Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli.
Tanzania’s Azam FC who start their campaign in the second preliminary round will face ZED FC. The Egyptian side eliminated ASAS from Djibouti 5-1 on aggregate.
Second preliminary round fixtures for CECAFA teams
Kitara FC vs Al Ahly
ZED FC vs Azam FC
Welwalo Adigrat FC vs Al Ahly Tripoli
Tusker FC vs Singida Black Stars FC
Rayon Sports FC vs Black Bulls FC
Rwanda Premier League side Rayon Sports will kick start their 2026/2027 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup campaign tonight with a match against Panthere Sportive du Nde’e in Cameroon.
The match is the first preliminary round to take place at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.
Fresh from winning the regional CECAFA Kgame Cup, Rayon Sport FC will be all out to kick start their campaign on a good note before hosting the Cameroon side in the return leg on September 12th in Kigali.
Christian Francis Haringingo, the Rayon Sport head coach has made it clear they must go all out for a win. “The four matches we played in the Kagame Cup have also helped us get good match practice and the team is ready,” said the Rayon Sport coach.
Two other teams from the CECAFA Zone Al Alsahil from Sudan will also be in action against Welwalo Adigrat (Ethiopia) in a match to be played at the Kigali Pele Stadium, Rwanda.
On Saturday Zanzibar’s KMKM SC will play away to Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya), while five matches involving CECAFA teams take place on Sunday.
September 4
Panthere Sportive du Nde’e vs Rayon Sports FC
Al Alshahil vs Welwalo Adrigrat
September 5
KMKM SC vs Al Ahly Tripoli
September 6
Mogadishu City vs Kitara FC
Durban City FC vs Rukinzo FC
Al-Ghazala FC vs Singida Black Stars
Al Ahli Madani vs Tusker FC
ZED FC vs ASAS Djibouti Telecom
-
CAF Champions League12 months agoYoung Africans draw Al Ahly for CAF Champions League group stage
-
CAF African Nations Championship2 years agoAfrican Nations Championship 2025 dates announced
-
CAF African Nations Championship1 year agoCHAN 2024: Kenya lead group, to face Madagascar in quarter final stage
-
NEWS5 years agoCECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup: Ethiopia face tough Burundi hurdle
-
FIFA WOrld Cup Qualifiers1 year agoUganda win, Tanzania pick late draw in FIFA World Cup qualifiers
-
FIFA U-17 World Cup 202511 months agoUganda ejects Senegal to storm FIFA U-17 World Cup round of 16
-
CAF WCL QUALIFIERS4 years agoSimba Queens champions
-
Cecafa Women5 years agoEritrea ready to host Tanzania in FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier