Sudan have qualified for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Sudan team battled from a goal down to defeat Uganda 3-2 in the first semi-final match of the CECAFA Zonal qualifier played on Tuesday at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Richard Okello gave Uganda the lead after only 7 minutes. But three minutes later Rudwan Yahya Mohamed Ishag leveled matters for Sudan.

The two teams continued to attack and create several scoring opportunities, but went into the break with the score board reading 1-1.

After recess, the Sudan got off their blocks faster making it 2-1 after 47 minutes Mazin Fadul Albahli Taoer finishing off past Uganda’s goalkeeper Adrian Isabirye from close range.

But the Uganda team did not give up and equalized through  Derrick Sssozi after 65 minutes. Albahi Taoer netted the winning goal after 83 minutes to send Sudan into the 2027 CAF U-20 AFCON.

“I am very happy that I have scored two goals to help Sudan qualify for AFCON,” said an emotional Albahi Taoer after the match.

Salaheldin Ahmed Nuoreldin Ahmed, the Sudan head coach thanked his players for the work well done. “It was not an easy match. But we thank Allah for guiding us into the AFCON U-20,” said a happy Ahmed.

As Sudan wait to play the final on Thursday, the second semi-final match between Burundi and Tanzania will take place later this afternoon.

The semi-final stage is finally set at the on-going 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

Tanzania, Uganda and Sudan booked their places on Saturday to join Burundi who qualified two days earlier.

In the first Group C match played Kenya came from a goal down to force a draw against South Sudan in a match played at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Jonathan Ajoung gave South Sudan the lead after 26 minutes, but Brigthon Nacheri leveled matters in added time to ensure Kenya walked a way with a point in the tournament. The two teams bowed out after finishing with 1 point each.

The draw in the first match automatically saw Uganda and Sudan who were set to play the next match qualify before kicking a ball because they already had three points each respectively.

Uganda later picked a 1-0 win against Sudan as coach Laryea Kingston’s team maintained their 100% winning run to top Group B. Substitute Amour Munogera scored the lone goal.

In that last match of the day hosts Tanzania defeated Ethiopia 4-0. Bashiri Salum Kibaila netted a first half brace, while Juma Sagwe also scored a brace in the second half for the Ngorongoro Boys.

The semi finals will be played on Tuesday with Uganda facing Sudan, while Tanzania take on Burundi in what promises to be explosive.

The finalists will automatically qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.

Group A standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Tanzania   2     2    0    0    7     0     7     6

Rwanda     2     0    1    1    0     3    -3     1

Ethiopia    2     0    1    1    0     4    -4     1

Group B standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Uganda     2     2    0    0    5     1     4     6

Sudan        2     1    0    1    3     1     2     3

Djibouti     2     0    0    2    1    7    -6     0

Group C standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Burundi     2     2    0    0    6     0     6     6

Kenya        2     0    1    1     1     3   -2     1

S. Sudan    2     0    1    1    1     5    -4     1

Burundi are the first team to qualify for the semi-final stage at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers in Tanzania.

After seeing off South Sudan 4-0 in their opening Group C match few days ago, the Burundi team collected a second straight win beating Kenya 2-0 on Thursday.

Captain Amini Nshimirimana gave scored to give Burundi after only 10 minutes. After a good build up in the Kenyan half, Nshimirimana made no mistake beat Kenya’s goalkeeper Wayne Orata.

The Kenyan team tried to push forward, but failed to penetrate the tight defending line marshaled by Cadeau Ndayishimiye and Radjabu Nzeyimana.

In the second half Nshimirimana was again quick to nod the ball past the Kenyan goalkeeper after 68 minutes to make it 2-0.

Kenya’s Edwin Jumba and substitute Theodore Gitari tried to push forward with shots from outside the box, but failed to score.

It was all celebration for the Burundi team after the final whistle. Jean De Dieu Rukundo, the Burundi coach thanked his team for a job well done to qualify for the semi finals.

“The first goal has been achieved. Now we focus on the semi final,” added the Burundi head coach.

Action continues on Saturday with Kenya facing South Sudan, Sudan battling Uganda, and Ethiopia taking on hosts Tanzania.

With Burundi topping Group C, they now await to face the top team in Group A at the semi-final stage on September 22, while the top team in Group B will face the best second placed team from all the groups.

The finalists will automatically qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.

Group A standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Tanzania   1     1    0    0    3     0     3     3

Ethiopia    1     0    1    0    0     0     0     1

Rwanda    2     0    1     1    0     3    -3    1

Group B standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Uganda     1     1    0    0    4     1     3     3

Sudan        1     1    0    0    3     0     3     3

Djibouti     2     0    0    2    1     7    -6     0

Group C standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Burundi     2     2    0    0    6     0     6     6

Kenya        1     0    0    1     0     2   -2     0

S. Sudan    1     0    0    1    0     4    -4     0

Three matches are on card as the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers kick-off at the Uhuru Stadium on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

In a Group B battle, Uganda will take on Djibouti in the opening match of the competition.

Layrea Kingston, the Uganda head coach has made it clear that every match in the tournament will be very important because their target is qualification for U-20 AFCON.

“We shall treat the opening match with a lot of seriousness and caution because it will determine the kind of momentum we shall set in the competition,” said Kingston.

The second match will see South Sudan face Burundi in a Group C. John Alier, the South Sudan head coach has also made it clear that they need to work hard and make it through the group to the knock out stage.

“We need to go out and try to win all out group matches because we are targeting qualification for U-20 AFCON,” added the coach.

The third match of the day will see the hosts Tanzania tussle it out against Rwanda in a Group A encounter. The Ngorongoro Heroes are the defending champions in the Zone having lifted the trophy in 2024.

Yusuf Mossi, the Competitions Manager of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has made it clear that they expect a very competitive event. “All the teams have arrived in Dar es salaam and we expect a good competition,” added Mossi.

The semi-final matches will be played September 22nd 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 be played on September 24th. The finalists will qualify for the U-20 AFCON 2027.