The Uganda Cubs are the winners of the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

Coach Kingston Laryea’s team stopped Somalia 6-5 in penalty shoot-outs of the final played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Monday.

The two teams created several scoring opportunities, but it was Uganda’s goalkeeper David Ssegirinya who stood firm making two crucial saves in the last five minutes of the match.

During the penalty shoot-outs Ssegirinya again stopped three penalties to ensure Uganda walked away with the trophy. and stopped  

It is now Uganda’s third time to win the title in the last six months after also winning in 2020 and 2024.

“I am very happy with the players because we worked so hard topped the group, beat Ethiopia in the semis and now lifted the trophy after winning in the penalties,” said a happy Uganda Cubs coach Laryea.

Henry Muhoozi, Uganda’s captain said it was a very happy moment for him captaining the national team to victory and qualifying for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. “We are very proud of ourselves and than everyone for the support,” added Muhoozi.

Dadir Amin Ali, the Somalia head coach thanked his players for working hard to qualify for the CAF U-17 AFCON and reaching the final. “As a coach I am very proud of my boys because it has been real hard work,” added Ali.

The qualifiers attracted nine teams after Djibouti pulled out few days to kick-off.

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.