Hosts Tanzania are the winners of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

The Ngorongoro Boys put up a spirited fight to defeat Kenya 2-1 in the final played at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

After a well-balanced first half that ended goalless, the Kenyan team got off their blocks first after recess to score through Hassan Kitsao after 48 minutes. He capitalized on a well placed Aldrine Kibet through pass to place the ball past Tanzanian goalkeeper Anthony Mpemba.

The home side pushed forward and pinned the Kenyan defending line. After a defensive lapse with the Kenyan defenders failing to clear their lines, Valentino Kusengama netted his fifth goal of the tournament after 64 minutes to make it 1-1.

The Ngorongoro Boys continued to dominate play in the midfield and gave no room for the Kenyan attacks to get space. With the clock ticking away Sheikhan Khamis put Tanzania ahead with a well taken shot from outside the box that the Kenyan goalkeeper failed to stop. It was all celebration for the Tanzanian team after the final whistle as they also celebrated revenge against the Kenyan team that beat them by the same score in the group stages.

Elias Lameck, the Tanzania captain said they are proud of lifting the national flag high and qualifying for AFCON U-20 and also winning the title. “We thank all Tanzanians for the support,” he added.

In an earlier match Uganda came from a goal down to defeat Burundi 3-1 in a play-off to determine the team that finishes third. Ramazani Hakizimana netted after 5 minutes for Burundi, But Abubakali Walusimbi leveled matter two minutes into added time of the first half. After recess John Dembe took matters into his hands to score a brace to guide Uganda to victory.

The winners received a trophy and medals, while the runners up and third placed also received medals. The finals were also graced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) 3rd Vice President, and Chairman of the CAF Youth Football Organizing Committee, Suleiman Waberi.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and CECAFA President Wallace Karia together with Burundi Football Federation (BFA) President, Alexandre Muyengye, Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam (President Eritrea National Football Federation (ENFF), and the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) President Augustino Maduot Parek also attended the final.

Uganda Hippos striker John Dembe has scooped the top scorer’s Award at the just concluded TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

The Zonal qualifiers climaxed on Sunday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with the home side Ngorongoro Boys stopping Kenya to emerge winners, while Uganda beat Burundi to finish third.

Dembe who plies his trade with BK Hacken in Sweden was the top scorer with six goals. The striker also netted a brace in Uganda’s 3-1 win against Burundi in the play-off match on Sunday.

“I am very happy that I have emerged top scorer in this tournament. As a striker I am very proud of my achievement,” added Dembe.

Tanzania’s Sabri Kondo who also scored five goals was voted best player of the tournament, while Kenya’s Ibrahim Wanzala was voted best goalkeeper.

Kondo thanked all his fellow players for the team work which saw them win the Cup. “I thank everyone for the support,” said Kondo. Kenya picked the Fair Play Award.

The two week long Zonal qualifier attracted Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Djibouti.

The final of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers will take place on Sunday afternoon at the KMC Stadium in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

Hosts Tanzania will face in-form Kenya in the final which promises to be a thriller since it is also a repeat of a Group A match played over a week ago.

Charles Boniface Mkwasa, the Tanzania coach told Cecafaonline.com that after losing 1-0 to Kenya in the group stage, they know what to expect. “We are very happy the team has already qualified for the AFCON U-20 and one mission has been achieved, but now we are looking at the title that we shall work hard to win,” added the coach.

His counterpart the Kenyan coach Salim Bab Ndarai however thinks the final will be difficult. “Since we beat Tanzania in the group stage, it makes the final more difficult because they will be out to try and revenge. But we have prepared well and the players are determined to try and win the title,” added Ndarai.

Tanzania will welcome back one of their leading strikers Valentino Kusengama who missed the semi-final match against Uganda because of suspension. Kusengama has netted four goals, while dangerous substitute Sabri Kondo has scored five goals.

The Kenyan side who have not lost a match in the tournament will look to their leading forwards Kelvin Wangaya and Aldrine Kibet who have each scored four goals.

To reach the final Tanzanian eliminated Uganda 2-1, while Kenya saw-off Burundi 4-0 at the semi-final stage.

Besides the winners’ trophy and medals, the top scorer, Player of the tournament, Best goalkeeper and Fair Play Award will also be awarded after the climax of the tournament today.

The qualifiers for the CECAFA Zone attracted hosts Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) 3^rd Vice President Suleiman Waberi will attend the final of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers today afternoon.

Hosts Tanzania and Kenya who have also qualified for the AFCON U-20 will face-off in the final at the KMC Stadium. But before the final 2022 winners Uganda will take on Burundi in a play-off match to decide which team finishes third.

Auka John Gecheo, the CECAFA Executive Director confirmed that Waberi, also the Chairman of the CAF Youth Football Organizing Committee will grace the final. “We are excited that the CAF Vice President and other Presidents of different members Associations will also be present,” added Gecheo.

“We have had a very successful tournament with a lot of young talent on display and we look forward to an explosive final,” added Gecheo.

The other Members Association Presidents who will grace the final include the Tanzania Football federation (TFF) and CECAFA President Wallace Karia, Burundi Football Federation (BFA) President, Alexandre Muyengye, Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam (President Eritrea National Football Federation (ENFF), and the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) President Augustino Maduot Parek.