NEWS
CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup: What the coaches say after the group stage
The CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup group stage climaxed on July 24th with nine matches played in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. The coaches had this to say.
Kim Poulsen (Head Coach, Tanzania)
We are very happy to qualify for the semi finals because our preparations were close to zero since the Tanzania Premier League has just ended. We were also in a very tough group and we surely battled strongly to make it to the next stage.
I think Uganda also deserved to be in the semi final because they play well. We shall not underrate our opponents South Sudan who we face in the semi final. We shall have to approach the semi final match very differently.
Morley Byekwaso (Head Coach, Uganda)
I thank the boys because for the fighting spirit they have showed in the two matches. We created several scoring chances in this tournament, but did not use them well. But it’s a good experience for my young team as we still have two more classification matches.
We need to prepare our teams for the future and this tournament is good to try out players.
Julien Mette (Head Coach, Djibouti)
Ofcourse it is not good to see us failing to win or even score a single goal. But I am happy that the young players have got more exposure from the two matches we played against Kenya and South Sudan. It is from such matches that players get more experience and can be able to improve.
Simon James Yor (Head Coach, South Sudan)
Qualifying for the semi final is very good for my players because it means they have more competitive matches to play and this will help them to develop and become better players. We know the Tanzanian team that we face in the semi final is strong, but we shall prepare well for them.
Wubetu Abate Wubetu (head Coach, Ethiopia)
I am not happy with the way my players played the two group games where we picked draws. We need to improve as a team to take our chances and always shoot at goal instead of holding onto the ball and lack that final finish. But the tournament is good for testing and improving our young players.
Jimmy Ndayizeye (Head Coach, Burundi)
I am impressed with the concentration of my players and we hope they can keep focused for the game against Kenya. We have brought some of our young players from Europe to be tested in this tournament and am happy with the progress. Facing Kenya will not be easy because they have showed they are strong by winning their two games in the pool.
Jean Claude Loboko (Head Coach, DR Congo)
Although we failed to qualify for the semi finals, we are happy that the young players are getting the much needed experience from this tournament. Yes we have been good at creating many scoring chances, but finishing remains our problem.
Stanley Khayo Okumbi (Head Coach, Kenya)
Five goals and two wins makes us happy as the technical bench. But we need to tune out minds and prepare well ahead of the tough match against Burundi. Although we have won all our two games in the group stage, I believe we still have to improve on some aspects.
Yohannes Tesfay Giday (Assistant Coach, Eritrea)
Although we failed to win a single game in the group stage, this has been a good outing for the players. We shall try to field players who have not got a lot of playing time in the remaining two classification matches.
Omar Abdulqadir Artan has shattered barriers, becoming the first Somali referee ever selected for the FIFA World Cup. Artan’s inclusion on FIFA’s official list of match officials for the tournament set to be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, marks a landmark achievement for Somali football and a significant moment for the country’s presence on the global sporting stage.
He is among the Seven listed African Referees who will officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup that include Tom Abongile- South Africa, Mustapha Ghorbal – Algeria, Amin Mohamed, Pierre Atcho, Jalal Jayed – Morocco and Dahane Beida.
From Mogadishu’s war‑scarred streets to CAF’s Best Referee of the Year in 2025, Artan’s rise has been a story of resilience and excellence. His simple “Alhamdulillah” after the announcement captured the pride of a nation.
Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Football Federation hailed his achievement as a source of national pride and inspiration while Somali Football Federation president Ali Abdi Mohamed (Ali Shiino) declared: “Omar’s selection is a great honor for Somalia and a powerful motivation for our youth.”For Somali communities worldwide, especially in the U.S., his presence at the World Cup is more than sport — it’s representation, resilience, and hope.
Omar Abdulqadir Artan grew up chasing football dreams on dusty pitches where resources were scarce and opportunities even scarcer. What began as a passion for the game slowly transformed into a calling — not as a player, but as the one entrusted to uphold its integrity.
He became the first Somali to officiate a Confederation of African Football (CAF) continental final, took charge of matches at the Africa Cup of Nations, and was crowned CAF’s Best Male Referee of the Year. His achievements resonated far beyond the pitch, inspiring young Somalis to believe that international recognition was possible.
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the 23rd edition of the tournament but the first to feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups (A-L).
Uganda are the silver medalists in the concluded CAF African Schools Football Championship after losing out to Senegal 5-4 in post-match penalties whilst Ghana successfully defended their girls’ title with a 9-8 victory in post-match spot kicks Burkina Faso.
Losing out on Winner prize money of $300,000 Uganda who were represented by St Mary’s Kitende take home $200,000.
The first half of 20 Minutes ended in a deadlock with limited chances . It was the second half that produced opportunities for both sides with Uganda’s Shakur Ngobi blasting just over the bar from close range after being set up by Owen Mukisa. Ugandan goalkeeper Imran Ssebbale would then produce a fine save from Mamadou’s half volley to keep the match even.
The match would end in a draw and winner determined by post-match penalties. It was a similar ending for the girls category as Ghana successfully defended their girls’ title with a 9-8 victory in post-match spot kicks over fellow West Africans Burkina Faso after a goal-less draw.
The competition finals held at Ngoni stadium in Harare city, Zimbabwe was graced by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe and other dignitaries and is the fourth edition of the African Schools Programme that was launched way back in 2022.
CAF African Schools Football Championship
In-form Uganda to face Senegal in CAF African Schools Football Championship 2026 final
CECAFA representatives Uganda will face Senegal in the Boys final of the CAF African Schools Football Championship on Friday.
Uganda ejected Benin 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw at the semi-final stage on Thursday at the Ngoni Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Senegal reached the final after seeing off Morocco 4-0.
The Ugandan team, the 2025 reigning champions started their campaign with a 1-1 draw against hosts Zimbabwe, and went on to humble DR Congo 6-0 in their second Group A match. The team finished in style with a 3-0 win against Morocco.
In the Girl’s category defending champions edged Zambia 1-0, while Burkina Faso picked a 1-0 win against Morocco.
The winners of the Continental Finals of the CAF African Schools Football Championship in both the boys and girls categories each receive US$300 000, with runners-up receiving US$200 000, while third-place finishers each receive US$150 000. The cash prizes are however geared towards development at the various schools.
CECAFA teams Ethiopia and Uganda have been handed tricky opponents during the draw for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2026 conducted on Wednesday.
During the draw conducted at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.
Three current African stars; Fiston Mayele (Pyramids FC and DR Congo), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly and Mali) and Ahmed Belhadji (Ceramica Cleopatra and Morocco) participated in the draw proceedings.
Ethiopia who will be making their debut in the competition have been drawn in Group A alongside the hosts Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.
Uganda who played in the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026 have also been handed a tough draw alongside Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon and DR Congo.
The CECAFA Zonal reigning champions Tanzania have been placed together with Mali, Angola and Mozambique in Group C.
Morocco will host the CAF U-17 AFCON from May 13th to June 2 with sixteen teams taking part. The best ten teams will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Sixteen teams divided in four groups will tussle it out in the completion, with 10 qualifying for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026.
Last year Uganda secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup he first time by defeating The Gambia 2-1 in a playoff during the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
Group B: Cot d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
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