Kenya and Tanzania have picked wins on Day 1 of the CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championships 2026.

The Kenyan team netted 16 goals against Sudan in the opening Group A match played on Saturday at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

After 56 minutes the match was abandoned after five Sudan players had picked injuries and all substitutions had been effected.

Brendah Achieng was the star of the day scoring seven goals, while Lindey Weey Atieno and Elizabeth Opiyo netted a brace each. Flaviah Khatenje, Tabitha Wambui, Bevarline Otieno and Mwanakombo Bakari also had their names on the score board. Sudan’s Malaz Abdallah scored a own goal early in the second half.

“I am very happy that I managed to score seven goals in our opening match. We shall continue to work hard as the tournament continues,” says Achieng.

In the second Group A match hosts Tanzanian defeated Somalia 4-0 to move into second place on the log.

Yasinta Kaliwa gave Tanzania the lead after only 1 minute, before Bahati Kizanguzi made it 2-0 after 30 minutes.   

The debut making Somali team tried to play a highly defensive approach, but failed to contain the Tanzanian team. Fatuma Shagembe and Kizanguzi added two second half goals to give the home side a perfect start.

Halimo Isse, Somalia’s captain said although they lost the match the team is excited that they played in the competition for the very first time. “We are glad to play in the competition because it helps us get more exposure,” added Isse.

Action continues on Sunday with two Group B matches to take place at the Azam Complex, Chamazi. South Sudan will face Zanzibar in the opening match, while Uganda takes on Djibouti in the second tie.

Several teams have arrived in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania ahead of the CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship.

The teams from Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda have already jetted in ahead of the season opening CECAFA 2026 tournament.

Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Manager of Competitions told Cecafaonline today that they are happy all the team will be in Dar es Salaam before the tournament kicks off on June 13^th.

“We expect this tournament to help players in the Zone get good International exposure, but it will also help the Kenya team prepare better ahead of their last qualifying match in the FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifiers,” added Mossi.

He also made it clear that CECAFA has selected all female referees to handle the tournament.

Kenya will face Sudan in the opening match of Group A on June 13^th, the same day hosts Tanzania will battle Somalia at the KMC Stadium.

Two Group B matches between South Sudan and Zanzibar, and Uganda against Djibouti will take place on June 14^th at the Azam Complex.

The competition which will attract eight teams including debutants Somalia and Sudan will climax on June 23^rd.

Group A: Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan

Group B: Uganda, South Sudan, Djibouti, Zanzibar

Simba Queens have reclaimed the Tanzania Women’s Premier League title.

The Queens officially won the 2025/2026 Tanzania Women’s Premier League title after defeating Mashujaa Queens 5-2 in a League match played on Sunday at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

They reclaimed the championship with two matches left to the end of the season

Kenyan International Jentrix Shikangwa, who leads the club in goals-scoring netted a brace in the match to take her tally in the league this season to 16 goals.

While Simba Queens comfortably won their match, their challengers Yanga Princess lost further ground by drawing 1-1 with third-placed JKT Queens.

The win for Simba Queens means Yanga Princesses who are currently on 44 points, cannot match or surpass the former’s total of 56 with only two matches left to the end of the season.

Simba Queens who have won the Tanzania Women’s Premier League title will now represent the country in the CAF Women’s Champions League CECAFA Zonal qualifiers to take place in Rwanda.

CECAFA teams Kenya and Ethiopia have advanced to the third round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

After settling for a 1-1 draw against Uganda in Kampala, the two sides settled for a goalless draw in the return leg played on Saturday in Nairobi Kenya advanced on an away goal’s rule.

Tanzania were eliminated by South Africa on a 2-0 goal aggregate after they lost the first leg 2-0 and settled for the goalless draw away from home in a match played on Sunday.

Ethiopia managed to see off Burundi 4-2 on goal aggregate after winning the two legs by the same margin 2-1. Mihret Ayele and Lydia Eyasu netted two second half goals to silence the home crowd on Sunday at the Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura.

Dancille Iranzi had given the home side an early 5^th minute lead, but the hosts failed to find more goals.

Ethiopia will now face Zambia in the final round of the qualifiers, while Kenya take on South Africa. The other matches will see powerhouse Nigeria face Benin, while Senegal take on Ghana.

Four other teams from Africa will qualify to join hosts Morocco for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final tournament.