Tanzania and Uganda have made their intentions known after kick starting their AFCON U-17 CECAFA Zonal qualifying campaign with huge Group B wins in the city of Dire Dawa.

In the opening match Tanzanian humbled Sudan 6-0, while Uganda collected a 4-0 win against Burundi in matches played at the Dire Dawa International stadium.

In the first match Tanzania started pressing early for goals and were already three goals up by the 21st minute. Dismus Athanasi scored a quick brace in the 10th and 16th minutes, while Nhingo Luzelenga added the third to take a 3-0 lead.

After recess Tanzania showed their intent and thirst for more goals as skipper Kassim Juma also netted two more goals.

Sudan were outpaced by the fluid flowing Tanzania forwards who created good spaces and chances. Soann Shabani and Hamisi Barbara would then score in the 74th and 80th minute.

Tanzania coach Elieneza Nicolaus termed the victory as a result of a well prepared team that has taken time to build across a year and he expressed positivity of great performances in next lined up match against Djibouti.

In the second match braces from Thomas Ogemba and team Captain Owen Mukisa were enough to see Uganda defeat Burundi 4-0.

Kingston Laryea, the Uganda Cubs coach said he was happy to start with a good win.

Group B action continues in Dire Dawa on Tuesday as Uganda face Sudan, and Tanzania take on Djibouti.

Group B table standing

                  P  W   D   L  GF GA GD Pts

Tanzania  1   1    0    0   6    0    6    3

Uganda    1   1    0    0   4    0    4    3 

Burundi    1   0    0    1   0     4  -4   0

Sudan      1   0    0    1   0    6   -6    0

The world Football body, FIFA has officially opened a Talent Academy in Djibouti.

In the presence of the President of the Republic of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, Prime Minister, Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed, stakeholders, members of the Djibouti Football body attended the opening ceremony on Thursday.

Djibouti FA President Souleiman Hassan Waberi, FIFA Director of Global Football Development Steven Martens; FIFA Deputy Director of the Member Associations Division and Regional Director for Africa, Gelson Fernandes also attended the function.

Djibouti becomes the second African country after Mauritania and 40 others globally to benefit from the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS).

The FIFA Talent Development Scheme was launched under the leadership of FIFA Chief of Global Football Development, Arsene Wenger to try and give every talented young player a genuine opportunity to progress, while strengthening the global competitiveness of both men’s and women’s football.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the President of the Republic, the First Lady, the Government, our institutional partners, as well as FIFA for their trust, support and accompaniment,” said Waberi, the Djibouti FA President and FIFA Council Member.

He made it clear that this development is a step towards the future, with a modern infrastructure, ambitious and resolutely geared towards the success of the young talents in Djibouti.

Uganda Cubs have defeated former champions France 1-0 to qualify for the knock out stage at the on-going FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 in Qatar.

Going into the last Group K match the CECAFA Zonal champions needed nothing less than a win against the more experienced French team.

After several earlier attempts, James Bogere finished off well after 18 minutes to give Uganda the lead at the Aspire Zone Complex in Doha. He was picked well by skipper Hamuza Ssengoba.

Pierre Mounguengue had a chance level matters, but missed the target in another French attack after 31 minutes. Christ Batola missed another chance again for France five minutes later.

Later Richard Okello was denied after 40 minutes when the French goalkeeper blocked from close range for a corner.

After 68 minutes France’s Tidiane Diarrassouba attempted a left-footed shot from the right side of the box, but it went wide.

Uganda Cubs continued to defend well and deny the French team chance to create scoring opportunities.

It was all celebration for the Ugandan team after the final whistle that saw them re-write history by defeating the 2001 champions France. The France team went on to lead Group K and qualified for the next stage, while Canada who lost 2-1 to Chile in their last match also qualified for the knock out stage.

The best two teams from each of the 12 groups and the best eight third placed teams qualify for the knock out round of 32. Uganda started the campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Canada, and settled for a 1-1 draw against Chile in the second group match.

The other teams that have so far qualifies include; Portugal, Argentina, Italy, Brazil, Zambia, Austria, USA, Republic of Ireland, Belgium, Japan, Senegal, Croatia, South Africa, Egypt, Venezuela, Switzerland, Korea Republic, Korea DPR, Morocco, Germany, Colombia, Tunisia and England

Somalia have been drawn to face Rwanda, Ethiopia, Sudan and African  reigning champions Tanzania in the Boys category of the CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA qualifiers

The Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) Head of Marketing and Communication, Andrew Oryada conducted the draw on Monday at the FUFA TV studio in Mengo, Uganda.

Uganda will host the CAF African Schools Football Championship Zonal qualifiers December 6-9^th at the St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, and the FUFA Stadium Kadiba.

Oryada says they expect the Championship to be more competitive compared to the previous qualifiers. “This time we shall have more teams than we have had before with 10 for the Boys and eight for the girls,” added Oryada.

The hosts Uganda are placed in Group A alongside Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya and South Sudan.

For the Girls’ category the regional defending champions Uganda are placed together with Kenya, Burundi and Rwanda in Group A, while Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Djibouti are I Group B.

The best two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-final stage, the winners will play at the final, and the losers will tussle it out in a play-off to decide who wins bronze.

The champions will win a cash prize of US$100,000, the runner-up US$75,000 and the third placed US$50,000 for each category. The cash prizes go directly towards development of a project back at the winning schools.