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.

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