CECAFA teams Uganda, Kenya and Burundi have advanced to the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

The Uganda Teen Cranes qualified on a 6-1 goal aggregate after defeating Zimbabwe 4-1 in the return leg of the first round match played at the FUFA Kadiba Stadium on Saturday.

Brendah Nassaka and Immaculate Acen gave Uganda a 2-0 goal lead after 34 minutes.

With the clock ticking away to half time Giovanna Aketogwanga netted the third goal after 43 minutes, but the visitors also pulled one back through Shantel Gwenhamo.

In the second half Retty Oseko Morra ensured she got here name on the score sheet to make it 4-1 for Uganda after 85 minutes.

At the Ulinzi Sports Complex, hosts Kenya thrashed Namibia 5-0 to qualify for the next stage on a 7-1 goal aggregate.

Brenda Achieng netted a hat-trick, while Emily Adhiambo and Elizabeth Opiya also got their names on the score sheet.

Burundi also eliminated another team from the COSAFA Zone seeing off Malawi 2-1 in the return leg played in Bujumbura on Saturday. Burundi qualified on a 4-2 goal aggregate. Kerene Nshizahabona and Louange Kezimana netted two first half goals for Burundi.

On Friday Rwanda lost 2-0 to Zambia in the first leg played in Kigali. Action continues on Sunday with Ethiopia hosting South Sudan, while Tanzania battle Botswana in second leg ties.

Four teams from the African continent will qualify to play at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to take place in Morocco.

The President of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto has praised the Harambee Starlets for finishing second in the just ended FIFA Women’s Series.

Kenya lost to highly ranked Australia 2-0 in the final played at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Wednesday.

Earlier India stopped Malawi 3-2 in a play-off to decide which teams takes third position.

“Well done, Harambee Starlets, on finishing runners-up at the FIFA Series Women’s Tournament,” said Ruto in a massage on his X platform.

The President made it clear that the team carried the nation’s hopes with pride, rising to the occasion and showcasing talent on the global stage. “Your performance throughout the tournament is a clear testament to your discipline, resilience, and growing strength as a team,” he added.

He advised the team to build on the lessons learned and the experience gained, and continue preparing with focus and determination for the challenges to come.

Kenya also used the FIFA Women’s Series to prepare ahead of 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has confirmed that eight teams will feature in the season opening 2026 CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship 2026.

Tanzania will host the Championship June 13-23 in the Dar es salaam.

Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager confirmed that eight nations have confirmed participation.

“We received confirmation from eight Member Associations including Somalia and Sudan who will field women teams for the first time at International level,” added Mossi.

The eight teams that have confirmed participation include; Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia and Sudan.

“The tournament will also help teams from our Zone that would have qualified for the last stage of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers prepare better,” explained Mossi.

CECAFA will also organize five other tournaments that include the CECAFA Kagame Cup, CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA qualifiers, Africa Cup of Nations U-20 CECAFA qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations U-17 CECAFA qualifiers.

Tanzania’s women’s team suffered a 3-0 defeat to hosts Morocco in an international friendly match played last evening in Rabat, Morocco.

The two teams use the match as part of their preparations for ahead of the upcoming 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The Atlas Lionesses started scored early after 4 minutes through Sanaa Mssoudy. The forward later doubled her tally in the 76th minute.

Tanzania’s team handled by Bakari Shime tried to make some changes, but failed to find the goals against the hosts. After 80 minutes Yasmin Lamrabet added another for the hosts to make it 3-0.

For the WAFCON 2026 Tanzania are placed in Group B alongside South Africa, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. Kenya are the second team that qualified from the CECAFA Zone to play at the WAFCON 2026.