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.

The Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia defeated Djibouti 6-1 last night to register their first win in Group A of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Bereket Desta and Abubeker Nassir netted hat-tricks to guide Ethiopia to victory in a match played at the Stade Ben M’Hamed El Abdi in El Jadida, Morocco.

The Mekelakeya FC forward put Ethiopia ahead after 19 minutes, and Nasiir added two more goals before the interval.

Six minutes after recess Samuel Akinbinu pulled a goal back for Djibouti after a defensive lapse by the Ethiopians.

But the Ethiopians continued to push forward and run rings around the Djibouti defence as Desta made it 4-1 after 52 minutes, and later Nasiir converted a penalty on 58 minutes. Desta also converted a second penalty for Ethiopia after 70 minutes as the Djibouti defending line continued to makes several blunders.

The win sends Coach Mesay Teferi’s to 4^th place with 6 points. Egypt who are yet to play their sixth match top the Group with 13 points, while Burkina Faso have 11 points. Djibouti are bottom with one point.

Action continues today with seven teams from the CECAFA Zone in action. Sudan who hope to maintain their lead in Group B will host South Sudan in Benghazi, Libya, while Rwanda host Lesotho in a Group C match in Kigali.

Two Group G matches will see Somalia play away to Botswana, while Uganda Cranes host Guinea at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole. Burundi will also face Seychelles in a Group F tie, while Tanzania battle Morocco in Group E at the Honor Stadium.

The Harambee Stars of Kenya have suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Gabon in a Group F match in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Gabon the after 16 minutes at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

The match also watched by the Kenyan President William Ruto ended 1-0 at the interval infavour of Gabon.

After recess Kenya conceded a penalty which Aubameyang converted after 52 minutes.

Ten minutes later Harambee Stars skipper Michael Olunga pulled back a goal for the home side to send fans into celebrations. The home team continued to push forward, but failed to find the final punch. Kenya’s campaign has now taken a big knock following the defeat and 3-3 away draw to The Gambia few days ago

Benni Mccarthy, the Kenyan coach said that his team had missed some good scoring chances. “There were a lot of positives today, but we also need to keep building and improving,” said the Kenyan coach.

The President of Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Hussein Mohammed thanked all Kenyans for coming to support. “A gallant fight from Harambee Stars, but we live to fight another day. Huge thanks to all Kenyans for the incredible support – the 12th man was truly behind the boys today, and it felt special after years of playing away from home,” said the FKF President.

The defeat by Gabon dents Kenya’s hopes in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign. Kenya are 4^th in the Group with 6 points, while Gabon are top with 15 points, and Ivory Coast with 13 points.

Action continues on Monday with Ethiopia facing Djibouti in a Group A match to be played at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium, El-Jadida in Morocco.