Hosts Uganda and Tanzania have kept a 100% winning record at the CECAFA Zoal CAF African Schools Football Championship kicked off on Saturday.

In their first Group A Girls’ match played at the FUFA Stadium Kadiba, Uganda defeated Burundi 2-1. Lydia Nameseruja and Grace Kawino netted for the hosts, while Chantal Nitibitanga scored for Burundi.

Uganda stopped Rwanda 2-0 in their second match with Lydia Namaseruka netting a brace. “I am very delighted that on the first day we have won all our two matches and I have managed to score three goals,” said a happy Namaseruka after the match.

Tanzania also picked two wins in the Girls’ Group B matches defeating South Sudan 2-1, and humbling Djibouti 6-0 where Sulemani Hajra scored four goals.

Ethiopia making a return to the Zonal qualifiers since 2022 humbled Djibouti 10-0. Kenya who arrived on Saturday by road from Nairobi managed to collect a goalless draw against Rwanda in their opening Group A match.

Girls’ results

Ethiopia 10 Djibouti 0

Tanzania 2 South Sudan 1

Uganda 2 Burundi 1

Djibouti 0 Tanzania 6

Rwanda 0 Uganda 2

It will be action time when the CECAFA Zonal qualifier for the CAF African Schools Football Championships kicks off in Uganda on December 6^th.

After the late withdrawal of Somalia and Sudan, eight nations will compete in both the boys and girls categories.

Justus Mugisha, the First Vice President of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) and Chairman of LOC said during a press conference held on Friday that Uganda is prepared to host a successful Championship.

He made it clear that Uganda is happy to be hosting this championship for the second time in a row.

“We are also very happy for the fact that it is a school sport and we are hosting it in one of the best venues both for accommodation and for competition in the school facilities at St Mary’s Stadium. We are also very happy that we are using the federation facility the FUFA Stadium Kadiba to host other matches,” added Mugisha.

Andrew Oryada, the CECAFA Head of Marketing and Communication thanked the government of Uganda and FUFA for always coming forward to host many of the tournaments in the Zone.

“Let us give the youngsters good coverage that they deserve because they are the future stars of tomorrow,” Oryada told the media.

The winners in each category will win gold medals and US$100,000, the runners-up silver medals and US$75,000, while the third placed take bronze medalists and US$50,000. The cash prizes are earmarked for strickly a development project that the winning schools identify.

Tanzania are the defending champions for the boy’s category, while Uganda lifted the girl’s title last year.

The head coach of Sudan’s national team, James Kwesi Appiah has said playing at the FIFA Arab Cup is helping his team prepare well ahead of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

Sudan kick started the FIFA Arab Cup by eliminating Lebanon 2-1 in the qualifying stage.

They went on hold defending champions Algeria goalless in their opening Group D match played on Wednesday at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar  

Speaking after the match against the star studded Algerian side, Appiah made it clear that the FIFA Arab Cup is helping them shape-up well ahead of the AFCON. “We are having the chance to play and test several aspects in this tournament,” said the experienced coach.

He made it clear that although their ultimate goal is to try and win as many matches at possible in the FIFA Arab Cup, it is also a learning and preparatory gorund for his team. “We are playing against teams from different continents and this is helping us get good tests,” added Appiah.

The Falcons of Jediane will return to action against Group D table leaders Iraq on December 6^th. Iraq defeated Bahrain 2-1 in their opening match played on Wednesday.

Sudan goalkeeper Mohamed Al Nour who was voted man of the match against Algeria also made it clear that their target is to qualify from the group to the knock out stage. “We are working hard as a team and this is also helping us keep together ahead of the AFCON in Morocco,” added the 25-year old.

Sudan, together with Uganda and Tanzania are the only teams from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone to qualify for the AFCON 2025.

The Sudan team is placed in Group E alongside Algeria, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea for the AFCON 2025 slated for December 21^st to January 18^th, 2026.

The Community Coaching Program officially kicked off at St. Mary’s Kitende, Uganda, as part of the build-up to the CAF African Schools Championship CECAFA qualifiers slated for December 6-9th, 2025.

The workshop is one of several CAF Legacy initiatives designed to strengthen grassroot football development across the CECAFA region.

Bringing together 50 school Physical Education (PE) teachers, as well as aspiring and practicing school coaches the four day workshop started on December 1st.

The training curriculum follows a capacity-building approach aimed at enhancing technical knowledge, coaching methodology, and overall competence under CAF’s structured development framework.

The workshop covers various thematic areas essential for youth football development, effective communication for coaches, and the technical approaches required in training young players. practical sessions involved modern coaching tools and resources to support their work in schools and grassroots environments.

The workshop is being facilitated by CAF Coaching Instructor Christine Wanyana and FIFA trained instructor Jackson Nyima.