Sudan have kick started their campaign in the on-going TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers with a convincing win against Djibouti.

The Sudan team brushed a side Djibouti 3-0 in a Group B match played on Thursday at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

Wail Galal Omer netted a goal in each half, while Ibrahim Samani also got his name on the score sheet for Sudan.

Sudan started the match with intensity to score after only 8 minutes through Omer. Djibouti’s defending line of Derrick Adede and Mahamood Bilal failed to match the pace of the Sudan’s attacking force.

After recess  Samani made it 2-0 for Sudan after 54 minutes, and Omer picked his second goal of the day after 84 minutes.

While Djibouti exit the tournament after losing two matches, Sudan move to second behind Uganda who won their opening match 4-1 against Djibouti.

Abdirahman Ali Abubakar, the Sudan coach praised his players for the good performance. “I am happy we scored three goals and conceded none,” said the coach.

In an earlier Group A match Ethiopia settled for a goalless draw against Rwanda. With four teams already with three points collected, Rwanda with one point are also out of the competition.

Group C table leaders Burundi were set to face Kenya in the last match of the day.

Group A standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Tanzania   1     1    0    0    3     0     3     3

Ethiopia    1     0    1    0    0     0     0     1

Rwanda    2     0    1     1    0     3    -3    1

Group B standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Uganda     1     1    0    0    4     1     3     3

Sudan        1     1    0    0    3     0     3     3

Djibouti     2     0    0    2    1     7    -6     0

Group C standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Burundi     1     1    0    0    4     0     4     3

Kenya        0     0    0    0     0     0     0     0

S. Sudan    1     0    0    1    0     4    -4     0

The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made it clear that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 will be one of the best ever seen.

Speaking during a press conference at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es salaam after a short visit to Tanzania on Thursday, Dr. Patrice Motsepe made it clear that although there is a lot of negative media information out there, the tournament will take place in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

“There is no Plan B, there is no Plan C, there never will be a Plan B, there never will be a Plan C. We are working hard and the AFCON will take place,” the CAF President made it clear during the press conference.

He said that although there are some challenges and emergencies, the three East African countries that will host the tournament are working hard together with CAF to ensure. “We’re going to work together on those areas where we are falling behind, we’ll correct them,” added Dr. Motsepe.

He also made it clear that he has seen improvements since his last visit. “The problem is we are nine months away from the AfCON, which is a big emergency,” he added.

The CAF President said he is also traveling to Kenya t inspect and also meet President William Ruto.

“This will be the most successful sporting event that has taken place in Uganda, Kenya Tanzania and East Africa,” he added. Wallace Karia, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and CAF Executive Member also attended the press conference among others.

The CAF President is visiting Tanzania and Kenya as part of on-going TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 discussions and preparations.

The AFCON PAMOJA 2027 to attract 24 nations is slated to take place June 9^th to July 17, 2027.

Action in the Zonal TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers continues on Thursday with three matches on card at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es salaam.

Ethiopia and Kenya who take to the field for the first time will be out to try and make a good start.

Ethiopia under coach Benjamin Ziemer will face Rwanda in a Group A match, before Djibouti take on Sudan, and Burundi conclude against Kenya.

Rwanda who lost their opening Group A match 3-0 to hosts Tanzania on Tuesday will be all out and try to fight back if they hope to stand a chance to make it to the knock out stage.

André Cassa Mbungo, the Rwanda coach has made it clear that after losing the first match, they will have no alternative but to go all out and get a win against Ethiopia.

For the Ethiopian team they are also going all out to try pick maximum points in the first match. Coach Ziemer who qualified the U-17 team to the AFCON U-17 has made it clear that they will take every match very seriously because their target is qualification to AFCON.

“We have prepared well and we are looking forward to a good start,” added the coach.

Gilbert Selebwa, the Kenya U-20 coach has also made it clear that they are determined to work hard and win matches to be able for the AFCON U-20.

Burundi who defeated South Sudan 4-0 in the opening match will be seeking a second win to advance to the semi-final stage.

The best two teams will automatically qualify for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Hosts Tanzania and Burundi have recorded convincing wins on Day 1 of the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

Burundi run riot by defeating South Sudan 4-0 in a Group C match played on Tuesday night at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es salaam.

Amini Nshimirimana netted a first half brace for Burundi going into the break. The second half was interrupted by a lighting challenge for close to 30 minutes.

The South Sudan team tried to get their act together, but were erratic at goal. Sympathque Majidi also scored a brace to ensure Burundi walked away with a comfortable win amd maximum points.

“I am very happy with the big win because it gives us a perfect start in the tournament,” said Burundi’s coach Jean De Dieu Rukundo.

The third match of the day saw the 2024 Zonal winners Tanzania defeat Rwanda 3-0. Faraji Kayanda, Juma Aushiri and Evastus Lukanima netted first half goals for the Ngorongoro Boys.

Rwanda’s head coach Andre Mbungo Casa made some changes in the second half as the team team put-up a better display and created some scoring opportunities.

Tanzania’s coach Maria Rivera Campesino said that although his team missed many opportunies, he is happy that they are creating them. “We have started with a win and we could win with a bigger margin in other matches because we keep creating many scoring chances,” added the coach.

Earlier Uganda had defeated Djibouti 4-1 in a Group B match. Action returns on Thursday with three matches on card. Rwanda will take on Ethiopia, while Djibouti face Sudan, while Group C table leaders Burundi face a test against Kenya.

Group A standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Tanzania   1     1    0    0    3     0     3     3

Ethiopia    0     0    0    0    0     0     0     0

Rwanda     1     0    0    1    0     3    -3     0

Group B standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Uganda     1     1    0    0    4     1     3     3

Sudan        0     0    0    0    0     0     0     0

Djibouti     1    0    0    1    1    4    -3      0

Group C standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Burundi     1     1    0    0    4     0     4     3

Kenya        0     0    0    0    0     0     0     0

S. Sudan    1     0    0    1    0     4    -4     0