Three referees from the CECAFA Zone have been selected to officiate at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026 to take place in Poland.

The competition that will attract 24 teams will take place September 5-27^th, 2026.

Expereinced Shamirah Nabadda from Uganda, also the 2025 CAF Female referee of the year has been selected among the 18 center referees. Fides Bangurambona (Burundi) has been selected as an assistant referee, and Rwanda’s Salina Mukansanga will officiate as a Video match official.

Ali Ahmed, the head of refereeing for the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) praised Nabadda, Burundi’s Fides Bangurambona (Assistant referee) and Rwanda’s Salina Mukansanga (Video match official) who have worked hard to earn the selection.

“Having the three officials picked means a lot to the Zone because they will also be flying the CECAFA flag,” added Ahmed.

The other match officials selected from Africa to officiate at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup inclide; Twanyanyukwa Antsino (Namibia), Fanta Kone (Mali), Diana Chikotesha (Zambia) and Cameroon’s Carien Atezambong.

Four teams from the African continent Benin, Tanzania, Ghana and Nigeria qualified to feature in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026.

Tanzanian striker Bahati Kizanguzi has scooped the top scorers Award at the CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship 2026.

Uganda emerged champions after stopping Tanzania in the final played on Tuesday at the KMC Stadium in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

During the Awards Kizanguzi who netted 10 goals in the tournament picked the top scorers Award, while South Sudan who finished 4^th picked the Fair Play Award.

Uganda’s duo of Namuwaya Mayimuna and Shadia Nabirye scooped the Best Goalkeeper and Best Player Awards respectively.

The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) President Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam and and Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) President/CAF Executive Member Wallace Karia graced the ceremony.

The competition, the first on the 2026 CECAFA calendar attracted Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Djibouti and Zanzibar.

The Uganda Teen Cranes have retained the CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship title.

Handled by Sheryl Ulanda Botes, the Uganda team defeated Tanzania 3-0 in the final played on Tuesday at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Justine Ayerango and Brenda Nasaaka gave Uganda Teen Cranes a 2-0 half time lead.

The home side tried to push forward through Yasinta Kaluwa and Bahati Kizanguzi, but failed to break the Ugandan defending line commanded by Jovia Nakirya.

Three minutes into the second half Flavia Yagala netted a third goal for Uganda. Tanzania tried to push forward and attacking at the Ugandan goal, but Namuwaya Mayimuna was up to the task.

It was all celebration after the final whistle as the Uganda Teen Cranes retained the title they last won in 2023.

 “I am very happy that the team followed instructions and won all the five matches played in the tournament,” said a happy Botes after the match.

The Uganda Teen Cranes were crowned with gold medals and also received a trophy, while Tanzania picked silver, while Kenya who defeated South Sudan 7-0 in the play-off match collected bronze medals.

The Awards ceremony was graced by President of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam, CECAFA Exco Member Doris Petra and Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) President and CAF Executive Member Wallace Karia. Jean Seninde, the CECAFA Interim Executive Director also graced the ceremony.

Tanzania have booked a place in the final of the CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship 2026.

The hosts saw off South Sudan 4-0 in the second semi-final match played on Sunday at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Bahat Kizanguzi and Harrier Juma gave Tanzania a 2-0 half time lead as the home side dominated play and run rings around South Sudan.

After recess South Sudan tried to compact their defensive midfield with Gal Adhel and Amel Achuil, but still failed to stop the free flowing Tanzanian team.

Yasinta Kaluwa made it 3-0 after 57 minutes, before Kizanguzi netted her second goal of the day after 78 minutes.

“We are happy to reach the final and we prepare well ahead of the match against Uganda,” said the Tanzania captain Harrier Juma.

To reach the final Tanzania defeated Somalia and Sudan, and settled for a 1- draw against Kenya in the last Group A match.

The play-off match to decide the third best team will see Kenya face South Sudan, while Uganda face Tanzania in the final with all matches to be played on Tuesday at the KMC Stadium.