Tanzania Premier Leagies sides Young Africans SC and Azam FC will clash in the final of the NMB Mapinduzi Cup 2026.

The final will take place January 13^th, 2026 at the Gombani Stadium in Pemba, Zanzibar.

To reach the final Azam FC eliminated Simba SC 1-0 in a semi-final match played on Thursday, while Young Africans SC also saw off Singida Black Stars FC by the same margin in a match played on Friday at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.

The final to be graced by the President of Zanzibar, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi will take place on January 13^th at the Gombani Stadium in Pemba.

Azam FC have lifted the Mapinduzi Cup a record five times, while Simba SC have won it three times, while Young Africans SC, Mtibwa Sugar FC, and Mlandege FC have all lifted the trophy twice  

The competition organized by the government of Zanzibar and the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) this year attracted 10 teams including guest side Uganda Revenue Authority FC.

The Eritrean National Football Federation (ENFF) has confirmed that the national team will participate in the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam, President of ENFF confirmed to Cecafaonline during an interview on Tuesday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Rabat, Morocco.

“I can confirm that we have registered to play in the qualifiers for the 2027 AFCON and I believe we shall have a strong team because we currently have many players playing outside the African continent,” said Andemariam.

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, the co-hosts for the 2027 AFCON are exempted from the qualifiers that are slated to start in March 2026.

Eritrea has not participated in several AFCOn and World Cup qualifiers in recent years. “We have had positive discussions with the government and we are now prepared to take part in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers,” added Andemariam.

The other teams from the CECAFA region that have already registered to participate in the qualifiers include; Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia.

Twenty one teams are expected to make it through the qualifiers that run till November this year to join co-hosts Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Tanzania put up a spirited fight as they lost 1-0 to hosts Morocco in the third Group of 16 knock out match at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

There was a lot at stake for the hosts infront of their fans, and for Taifa Stars to prove a point going into match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat on Sunday.

In the earlier half the Atlas Lions failed to find their rythem against a determined Tanzanian side. The hosts thought they had taken the lead through Ismail Saibari, but goal ruled out for off-side after checking the VAR.

The Tanzanain team dominated the first half giving the hosts no space and defending well as a team.

After 55 minutes Faisal Salum had a chance to put Tanzania a goal up, but blasted wide infront of the Moroccan goal.

In the 63^rd minute pure individual brilliance by Brahim Diaz was enough to see him drive into the tight angle and slot the ball past Tanzania’s goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga to send the home fans celebrating.

The home side captained by the back to fitness Achraf Hakimi continued to create many scoring opportunities, but the Tanzania team stood firm.

Morocco joined Senegal and Mali to qualify for the quarter final stage before three other matches in the round of 16 are played.

“The Tanzanian team played very well and deserved to be in the knock out stage. They carried the East African flag well,” a Moroccan fan Hussein Ahmad told Cecafaonline.

Miguel Ángel Gamondi, the Tanzania coach said he was proud of his team and the determination showed on the pitch. They showed that the gap between Morocco and us is not as big as people think,” added Gamondi.

Sudan have suffered a 3-1 defeat to Senegal to become the first team to exit the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in the knock of stage of the last 16.

The team from the CECAFA Zone took an early Aamir Abdallah lead after 6 minutes, but failed to contain the Senegalese team at the Tangier Stadium, Morocco.

Abdallah punished the Senegal defending line to finish with a clever curving shot past goalkeeper Edouard Osoque Mendy. But three minutes later Sudan’s goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid punched away a well taken Ismaila Sarr shot.

After 29 minutes former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane picked the ball from Sudan’s Abuaagla Mohammed to set up Pape Gueye who struck to make it 1-1.

The Lions of Teranga continued to dominate play as Sudan defended in numbers with two minutes of added time before the break Gueye netted his second goal of the evening.

After recess the Senegal team sat back and dominated the match with a slower pace before substitute Ibrahim Mbaye added the third goal.

Sudan tried to fight back, but failed to find the spaces to score more goals.

Kwesi James Appiah, the Sudan coach praised his team for the spirited fight against an experienced Senegal team. “Of course I am disappointed with the result of the game but proud of the effort of my players throughout this competition. Despite the result tonight I am sure the Sudanese people know that we came to this competition and proudly represented them,” added Appiah.

The Senegal coach Pape Thiaw also noted that Sudan is a very disciplined Sudan team and showed that they got to stage by merit.

On Sunday another team from the CECAFA Zone Tanzania will face a tough task against hosts Morocco in a match slated to take place in Rabat.