Uganda has qualified for the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

After drawing 4-4 in the first leg of the second round of the qualifiers against Burundi, the Uganda Sand Cranes won the return leg 9-6 in a match played at the Bunjako Beach on Sunday.

Joshua Letti Lubwama, Baker Lukooya and Godfrey Edweru all netted two goals each for the Uganda Sand Cranes. Ambrose Kigozi, Brian Nkuubi, and Paul Lule also had their names on the score sheet for the hosts.

La vie Nininahazwe and Mossi Nshimirimana each netted a hat-trick for the Burundi team.

“We are very happy to qualify for the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations. We have worked really hard to be able to qualify,” said Uganda’s Baker Lukooya.

Uganda will be the only team from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone at the competition after Tanzania were eliminated by Mozambique.

Senegal will host the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations that will feature eight teams from November 7-15.

The competition will also double as the African qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, with qualification granted to both finalists.

Tanzania Premier League side Singida Black Stars FC have defeated hosts Tusker FC 1-0 in the first leg second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The two sides had several missed scoring opportunities in the first half at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday in Nairobi.

After recess Jeancy Mboma scored for the visitors to send the local fans silent. Tusker FC tries to fight back, but failed to find the goals.

On Saturday another Tanzanian side Azam FC also picked a vital 1-1 draw away to Egypt’s ZED FC in a match played at the Cairo International Stadium.

Mahmoud Nabil gave the hosts the lead at the stroke of half time, while Lusajon Elukaya Mwaikenda leveled matters for coach Florent Ibenge’s side.

Ethiopia’s Welwalo Adigrat FC also suffered a 4-0 home defeat to Al Ahli Tripoli, while Rayon Sports FC (Rwanda) fell 2-0 to Black Bulls FC at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

On Friday Uganda’s Kitara FC failed to maintain their lead against African giants Al Ahly (Egypt) losing 2-1 at the Hoima City Stadium.

Wahaab Qaddafi gave Kitara FC the lead after 30 minutes, but  Omar El Saaiy ‘Zizo’ netted a second half brace to make sure Africa’s most decorated Club walked away with a win.

The teams that win over two legs will qualify for the group stage of the TotaEnergies CAF Confederaton Cup.

Results for CECAFa Teams

Kitara FC 1 Al Ahly 2

ZED FC 1 Azam FC 1

Welwalo Adigrat 0 Al Ahli Tripoli 4

Rayon Sports FC 0 Black Bulls 2

Tusker FC 0 Singida Black Stars FC 1

Somalia have booked the second slot from the CECAFA Zone to qualify for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The 2022 CECAFA Zonal champions edged hosts Rwanda 5-4 in penalty shoot-outs after the second semi-final had ended 1-1 at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday.

After a goalless first half, substitute Patrick Ujeneza dribbled past two Somalian defenders and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Khalid Nor to give Rwanda the lead.

But 4 minutes later Somalia leveled matters with a Mohamud Osman strike after the Rwanda defenders failed to clear the ball out of danger.

In the penalty shoot-outs Somalia came out top 5-4 to qualify for the 2027 CAF U-17 AFCON to join Uganda who had already booked a ticket.

“I am so happy that my players remained focused and came from behind to score and later win in penalties. We now go and prepare for the final against a strong Uganda team,” said the Somalia coach Dadir Ami Ali.

Rwanda will now face Ethiopia in the play-off on October 19^th with another opportunity to book the third slot for the CAF U-17 AFCON.

The Uganda Cubs have qualified for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Coach Kingston Laryea’s team secured the slot after defeating Ethiopia 4-0 in the first semi final of the CECAFA Zonal qualifiers played on Saturday at the Kigali Pele Stadium, Rwanda.

Defender Ukashsa Jemba gave Uganda the lead after only two minutes with a hard shot from outside the box that th Ethiopian goalkeeper Biniyam Adisu Bancha failed to block.

Five minutes later Arnold Kayemba increased Uganda’s lead scoring his fourth goal of the tournament.

Ethiopia tried to re-organise their midfield, but failed to match the free flowing Ugandan side. Yusuf Ssenyonga netted two more goals before the break as Uganda run rings around the Ethiopian defending line.

Akrem Abduselam Jemal had an opportunity to pull a goal back for Ethiopia after 41 minutes, but the Ugandan goalkeeper David Ssegirinya punched the shot out for a corner.

After recess Ethiopia’s technical bench brought in the fresh legs of Jonathan Addis Mezgebe, Nurhasen Wujra Negethzi and Zemichael Minyahel Niguse, but no no avail.

To reach the final Uganda humbled Burundi 8-0, and settled for a 1-1 draw against Ethiopia in Group B matches.

The second semi-final will see hosts Rwanda face 2022 Zonal champions Somalia to decide which team takes the second slot. The third slot will be decided on October 19^th in the play-off match to decide the bronze medal winner. The final will also be played on October 19th.