NEWS
CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup: South Sudan storm semis, Uganda out
South Sudan and Tanzania have this afternoon booked places in the semi finals of the CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup ongoing in the Ethiopian town of Bahir Dar.
In the first game South Sudan defeated Djibouti 2-0 to finish second in Pool B, but qualified as the best runner-up among all the three pools.
After dominating the first half and missing several scoring opportunities, the South Sudan team returned determined and scored two second half goals through Mabior Akeck Aluk after 87 minutes and a penalty converted by Dominic Angelo Kornelio.
Djibouti also had Mohamed Fouad Mohamed and Abass Fouad Abdourahman miss the target early in the second half.
Abkar Abdelkarim Mutwakil, the South Sudan captain said they played their hearts out as a team and were determined to win.
In the second game Tanzania with stood a lot of pressure, but still managed to draw 1-1 with Uganda to book their place in the knock out stage.
Tanzania’s goalkeeper Boniface Mnata Metacha stopped Steven Dese Mukwala’s penalty early in the game after Sospeter Israel Bajana had handled the ball in the box. But the Tanzanian team also earned a penalty after Msehack Abraham Mwamita had been brought down in the box. Sospeter Isreal Bajana stepped forward and sent the Ugandan goalkeeper Charles Lukwago the wrong side after 30 minutes.
The Ugandan team put a lot of pressure as the Tanzanians defended in numbers. In the second half Mukwala leveled matters for Uganda when he slotted in after 40 minutes.
Uganda continued to dominate the match, but the Tanzanian team defended well to book a place in the knock out stage. Tanzania beat guest side Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in their opening match.
“I am delighted that we are through to the semi final after a very tough game against Uganda,” said Tanzania’s head coach Kim Poulsen.
Uganda’s coach Morley Byekwaso said that the penalty miss had brought Tanzania back into the game. “Although we have failed to make it to the next stage, I am happy that the boys managed to express themselves well,” added Byekwaso.
Tanzania will now face South Sudan, while Kenya battle Burundi in the semi-finals. While the Djibouti team that is ranked ninth after the Pool stage will head back home, the other teams Ethiopia, Uganda, DR Congo and Eritrea will play classification matches.
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 1st 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 5th 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.
Uganda has qualified for the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
After drawing 4-4 in the first leg of the second round of the qualifiers against Burundi, the Uganda Sand Cranes won the return leg 9-6 in a match played at the Bunjako Beach on Sunday.
Joshua Letti Lubwama, Baker Lukooya and Godfrey Edweru all netted two goals each for the Uganda Sand Cranes. Ambrose Kigozi, Brian Nkuubi, and Paul Lule also had their names on the score sheet for the hosts.
La vie Nininahazwe and Mossi Nshimirimana each netted a hat-trick for the Burundi team.
“We are very happy to qualify for the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations. We have worked really hard to be able to qualify,” said Uganda’s Baker Lukooya.
Uganda will be the only team from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone at the competition after Tanzania were eliminated by Mozambique.
Senegal will host the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations that will feature eight teams from November 7-15.
The competition will also double as the African qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, with qualification granted to both finalists.
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