Burundi stop Ethiopia to book semi-final slot in AFCON U-20 qualifiers

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

The Burundi team defeated Ethiopia 3-2 in their last Group B match to secure the semi-final slot after finishing with six points to finish second behind Uganda.

Christophe Ndayikengurukiye netted a brace in the first half for Burundi, while Anteneh Beyene and Mikiyas Iwali were also on target as the first half ended 2-2 at the Azam Complex.

The second half produced entertaining football with the two sides creating several scoring opportunities. With the clock ticking away Destin Maniriho beat Ethiopia’s goalkeeper Abyu Ayele after 87 minutes to make it 3-2 for Burundi.

It was all celebration for the Burundi players and officials after the final whistle. “This was a very tough match and I am happy that the team has picked a win and qualified for the final,” said a happy Burundi coach Gustave Niyonkuru.

At the KMC Stadium South Sudan battled back to hold Uganda 2-2 in the second Group B match. Sweden based striker John Dembe netted a quick brace after only 21 minutes, but Emmanuel Swoka pulled one goal back after 32 minutes. Patrick Valentino later punished Uganda’s defending line when he outpaced them and slotted the ball past Uganda’s goalkeeper Abdu Magada at the stroke of full time.

Uganda and Burundi qualified for the semi-final stage with Coach Matia Lule’s team picking seven points, and Burundi six points.

Action will resume on Monday with two Group A matches as Djibouti face Kenya, while hosts Tanzania face Rwanda in what promises to be a thriller.

The best two teams will automatically qualify to represent the Zone at the AFCON U-20 tournament to take place in 2025.

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Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Boys have defeated Sudan 1-0 to move top of Group A at the on-going TotalEnernies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

In a very entertaining match which saw both sides display good football, substitute Sheikhan Khamis netted the lone goal after 75 minutes to ensure Tanzania collected maximum points at the Azam Complex, Chamazi.

Earlier Tanzania’s Valentino Kusengama and Zidane Sereri also had their efforts saved by the Sudan goalkeeper Mohammed Abdalla Ibrahim. After conceding the Sudan team tried to push forward to try and level matters, but failed to find the goals.

The win sends Tanzania top of Group A with the same points as Sudan with two wins each and one defeat for each of the teams.

Charles Boniface Mkwasa, the Tanzania coach praised his players for the hard work which saw them collect maximum points. “The players gave their best and we are happy to register our second win now,” added Mkwasa.

In an earlier Group A match played at the KMC Stadium Rwanda and Kenya settled for a goalless draw.

Action returns on Friday with 2022 champions Uganda who have already qualified for the semi-final stage taking on South Sudan, while Burundi battle Ethiopia in Group B matches.

Collected results

Tanzania 1 Kenya 2

Sudan 3 Djibouti 1

South Sudan 0 Burundi 1

Uganda 3 Ethiopia 0

Tanzania 7 Djibouti 0

Sudan 1 Rwanda 0

Uganda 4 Burundi 1

South Sudan 2 Ethiopia 1

Rwanda 0 Kenya 0

Tanzania 1 Sudan 0

Burundi 3 Ethiopia 2

Uganda 2 South Sudan 2