Uganda Cubs captain Henry Muhoozi has been voted the Best Player at the just concluded TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

Muhoozi who featured in all four matches putting up a good show team guided the Cubs to win the Zonal qualifiers at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Monday.

CECAFA Vice President, and President of the Somali Football Federation (SFF), Ali Abdi Muhamad presented the Award to Muhoozi during the Awards ceremony at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

“I am very delighted winning this Award and it will always mean a lot to me me and motivate me to keep working hard,” said Muhoozi.

Uganda’s duo of David Ssegirinya and Arnold Kayemba (four goals) also scooped the Best goalkeeper and top scorer’s Awards respectively.

Ethiopia who lost 2-1 to hosts Rwanda in the third place play-off picked the Fair Play Award, Rwanda the bronze medals, while Somalia collected silver and Uganda the gold.

The other officials who graced the Awards ceremony included; Richard Mugisha, the Second Vice President of the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) In-charge of Technical Matters, Jean Sseninde, the CECAFA Interim Executive Director, Ronnie Kalakire, the 1^st Secretary at the Uganda High Commission and the Uganda U-17 team Head of Delegation, Mansoor Kabuye.

Rwanda are the third team from the CECAFA Zone to qualify for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The hosts of the Zonal qualifiers defeated Ethiopia 2-1 in the play-off match for third place on Monday at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

Rwanda took an early 5^th minute lead with a well taken strike by Heylen Jayden Shema from outside the box.

But after eight minutes Abdisa Gutema Dachesa almost leveled matters, but Rwanda’s goalkeeper Emmanuel Nsengiyumva did well to stop the shot.

After 16 minutes Isaac Ndizeye nodded in Rwanda’s second goal finishing off beautifully from a well taken corner.

The Ethiopian did not give up and continued to attack and creating scoring opportunities. With three minutes to half time Akrem Abduselam Jemal pulled a goal back for Ethiopia from close range.

The two teams continued to create several scoring opportunities after the interval, but to no avail.

Rwanda handled by former Internatinal Jimmy Mulisa now join Uganda and Somalia as the three representatives from the CECAFA Zone who will play at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

It will be Rwanda’s second qualification for the CAF U-17 AFCON after their first appearance in 2011 when they hosted and lost 2-1 to Burkina Faso in the final.

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.