AFCON U-17 qualifiers
Giants Uganda, Tanzania face-off in AFCON U-17 Zonal qualifier final
The CECAFA Zonal final of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers takes place on Tuesday at the Abebe Bikila, Ethiopia.
It will be a repeat of the 2024 final when the Zonal giants Uganda and Tanzania face-off to decide which team walks away with the trophy and gold medals.
Last year Uganda stopped Tanzania 2-1 in the final played in Kampala.
To reach the final Tanzania, the only team to have won all five matches in the tournament defeated Kenya 2-1, while Uganda Cubs saw off hosts Ethiopia 3-0 in the second semi final tie.
Elieneza Nicolaus Nsangazelu, Tanzania’s head coach has made it clear that facing Uganda will not be an easy task although they managed to beat them 1-0 in the group stages.
“Uganda is a good side and beating a team twice in one tournament is always not an easy task. But the players are determined to stick to our system of play and give their best to win and take the trophy home,” added Nsangazelu.
The Uganda Cubs coach Kingston Laryea made it clear that since the first mission of qualifying for the AFCON U-17 had been achieved, now the next target was to retain the trophy.
“We respect Tanzania as a team because they are one o the best teams in this tournament, but my team is well prepared to make sure we dominate play and win the match,” added the former Ghanian International.
Luqman Ally Mbalasalu, the leading scorer in the tournament with eight goals will lead the Tanzanian hunt for goals, while Thomas Ogema, who has netted four goals and midfielder Henry Muhoozi will lead the Uganda Cubs.
But before the final, hosts Ethiopia will face Kenya in a match which will decide which team takes the third spot to qualify for the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2026.
The Zonal qualifiers attracted ten teams; Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Burundi and Djibouti.
Leading scorers
Luqman Ally Mbalasalu (Tanzania) – 7 goals
Dawit Kasaw Yirdaw (Ethiopia) – 7 goals
Thomas Ogema (Uganda) – 4 goals
Dismas Shida Athanasi (Tanzania) – 4 goals
Soann Shabani (Tanzania) – 4 goals
Sadam Hussen Hamis (Tanzania) – 4 goals
Djibouti have withdrawn their team from participating in the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
“We have received communication from the Djibouti Football Federation indicating that they have withdrawn their team,” says Jean Sseninde, the CECAFA Interim Executive Director.
Djibouti had been drawn alongside Tanzania and Kenya for the Zonal qualifier which takes place October 10-19th in Kigali, Rwanda.
“The Djibouti Football Federation (FDF) regrets to inform you that Djibouti will not be able to participate in the qualifiers for the 2026 CECAFA U-17 AFCON, scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda. This decision stems directly from exceptional circumstances beyond our control,” said a communication from the Djibouti Football Federation (DFF).
Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager has made it cleat that after this development, a mini draw will be performed in-order to balance the groups.
“ With this, to complete the Group C that remains with two teams, we will proceed to the mini draw that will allow us to balance the groups and to have three teams in each group. However, we are requesting for your patience until the end of the MRI process,” added Mossi.
The nine remaining teams are expected to complete the MRI tests in Kigali on Wednesday.
The best three teams will qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
Teams: Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya
AFCON U-17 qualifiers
Rwanda draw Sudan, Somalia in 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON CECAFA qualifiers
Hosts Rwanda have drawn Sudan, Somalia and South Sudan for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
Rwanda will host the Zonal qualifier in the capital Kigali from October 10-19th, and the best three teams will qualifier for the continental final.
The draw was conducted by the CECAFA Competitions Manager Yusuf Mossi and assisted by Tanzania’s Ladaki Chasambi (MVP at the 2018 U-17 AFCON qualifiers) at the Azam Studio in Dar es salaam on Wednesday.
Uganda have been placed in Group B together with Ethiopia and Burundi. The reigning champions Tanzania, Djibouti and Kenya are placed in Group C. The matches will be played at the Kigali Pele Stadium and the FERWAFA Technical Centre play ground.
The top teams in each Group will automatically qualify for the semi-final stage, while the best second placed team from all the three groups will also join in the semis.
The two finalists and the winner of the play-off for third place will qualify to play at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Group A: Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan
Group B: Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi
Group C: Tanzania, Djibouti, Kenya
The draw for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 CECAFA qualifiers will take place on September 23rd in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Yusuf Mossi, the Competitions Manager of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) said the draw will be hosted at Azam TV studios.
“We are delighted that our broadcast partners Azam TV have accepted to host the draw,” said Mossi.
The Zonal qualifiers are set to take place October 10-20th in the Rwandan capital Kigali. “Ten Member Associations have registered their teams for the qualifiers,” confirmed Mossi.
The best three teams will qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.
Tanzania are the reigning champions after they defeated Uganda in the final last year when the tournament was held in Ethiopia.
Teams: Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan
Tanzania’s Luqman Mbalasalu and Dawit Kasaw Yirdaw received the joint Top scorer Award at the climax of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
The two players each finished with eight goals a piece as the tournament ended on Tuesday at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Isayas Jira, the President of the Ethiopia Football Federation and CAF Exco Member awarded the two players.
The hosts who finished third also won the Fair Play Award, while Tanzania’s Haji Abdallah who also stopped two penalties in the tournament was voted Best goalkeeper.
Uganda’s captain Owen Mukisa voted Best Player of the tournament received his Award from the CECAFA Acting President and President of the Burundi Football Federation, Alexandre Muyenge.
Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, the Tanzania Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports handed of the Best Coach Award to Elieneza Nicolaus Nsangazelu.
Awards
Fair Play Award – Ethiopia
Gold Medalists – Tanzania
Silver Medalists – Uganda
Bronze Medalists – Ethiopia
Best Goalkeeper – Haji Abdallah (Tanzania)
Top Scorers – Luqman Mbalasalu (Tanzania), Dawit Kasaw Yirdaw (Ethiopia)
Best Player – Owen Mukisa (Uganda)
Best Coash – Elieneza Nicolaus Nsangazelu (Tanzania)
-
CAF Champions League11 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
-
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
-
NEWS5 years agoCECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup: Ethiopia face tough Burundi hurdle
-
NEWS5 years agoYoung Africans SC face Nyasa Big Bullets in CECAFA Kagame Cup kick-off
-
CECAFA11 years agoBotswana beats Kenya in African Youth Championships