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 1^st 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 5^th 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.

Tanzania Premier League side Singida Black Stars FC have defeated hosts Tusker FC 1-0 in the first leg second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The two sides had several missed scoring opportunities in the first half at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday in Nairobi.

After recess Jeancy Mboma scored for the visitors to send the local fans silent. Tusker FC tries to fight back, but failed to find the goals.

On Saturday another Tanzanian side Azam FC also picked a vital 1-1 draw away to Egypt’s ZED FC in a match played at the Cairo International Stadium.

Mahmoud Nabil gave the hosts the lead at the stroke of half time, while Lusajon Elukaya Mwaikenda leveled matters for coach Florent Ibenge’s side.

Ethiopia’s Welwalo Adigrat FC also suffered a 4-0 home defeat to Al Ahli Tripoli, while Rayon Sports FC (Rwanda) fell 2-0 to Black Bulls FC at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

On Friday Uganda’s Kitara FC failed to maintain their lead against African giants Al Ahly (Egypt) losing 2-1 at the Hoima City Stadium.

Wahaab Qaddafi gave Kitara FC the lead after 30 minutes, but  Omar El Saaiy ‘Zizo’ netted a second half brace to make sure Africa’s most decorated Club walked away with a win.

The teams that win over two legs will qualify for the group stage of the TotaEnergies CAF Confederaton Cup.

Results for CECAFa Teams

Kitara FC 1 Al Ahly 2

ZED FC 1 Azam FC 1

Welwalo Adigrat 0 Al Ahli Tripoli 4

Rayon Sports FC 0 Black Bulls 2

Tusker FC 0 Singida Black Stars FC 1