The opening match of the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers will see Uganda face Djibouti on September 14^th in a Group B match in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

All matches will be played at the newly renovated Uhuru Stadium.

Nine teams will tussle it out to determine the best two that will qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Yusuf Mossi, the Competitions Manager of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) told Cecafaonline that they expect a very competitive tournament because most teams started early preparations.

“We had a successful draw held in Rwanda on August 31st and three teams are placed in each of the three groups. The top teams in each of the groups, together with the best second placed team from any of the three groups will automatically qualify for the semi-final stage,” explained Mossi.

Tanzania, the reigning U-20 champions in the Zone are placed in Group A alongside Ethiopia and Rwanda, while Group B has Uganda, Sudan and Djibouti. South Sudan, Kenya and Burundi are placed in Group C.

Day 1 will also see South Sudan face Burundi in a Group C tie, while hosts Tanzania will play the last match of the day against Rwanda.

On September 17^th there matches will be played with Rwanda taking on Ethiopia, Djibouti facing Sudan, and Burundi battling Kenya. The last group matches will be played on September 19^th with Kenya playing South Sudan, Sudan lining up against Uganda, and Ethiopia battling Tanzania.

The semi-final matches will be played September 22^nd with Group B winners facing the best second placed team, and Group A winners taking on Group C winners. The play-off and final will take center stage on September 24^th.