NEWS
Prime Minister announces Ethiopia’s interest in bidding to host AFCON 2029
The Prime Minister of Ethiopia has announced that the country is interested in bidding to host the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2029.
While speaking to the media in Addis Ababa, the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said they have what it takes to return the AFCON to Ethiopia. He emphasized that they only need to add a few more stadiums to be able to host the AFCON.
He said this at the climax of the Shenen Africa Fashion Festival Week which ended in Addis Ababa on Sunday. Former Nigerian international players Nwankwo Kanu and Daniel Amokachi, together with actors, social media influencers, designers, models, technology experts, business people and diplomats among others also attended the Festival.
In April this year the Ethiopian Minister of Culture and Sports, Kejela Merdasa also made it public about their ambitious plans to prepare the country to be able to bid and host either the AFCON 2029 or AFCON 2031. for this significant event, emphasizing the need for at least six standard stadiums to ensure its success.
Merdasa says although Ethiopia currently lacks stadiums that meet CAF’s requirements, forcing the national team to play its matches abroad, they are working on building more stadiums and renovating others that are already available.
Ethiopia has hosted the AFCON before in 1962, 1968 and 1976. Sudan hosted the first edition in 1957 and again in 1970.
Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania won the bid to host the AFCON 2027 which will mark the return of Africa’s biggest Football showpiece to the CECAFA Zone after so many years.
Ethiopia and South Sudan registered wins in their different Group ties on Monday at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
In the earlier match South Sudan came from two goals down to defeat Sudan 3-2 in a Group A match played at the Kigali Pele Stadium in Rwanda.
Anwar Abdalrahim gave Sudan the lead after 36 minutes at the Kigali Pele Stadium in Rwanda.
After three minutes Sudan doubled their lead after Radi Ahmed Salim slotted in a ball that had been parried back by South Sudan’s goalkeeper Aruei Mayom.
The hungry South Sudan team pulled a goal back before the interval through Samson Panuel. After recess Mobil Anyieth leveled matters for South Sudan from close range.
The Sudan team failed to contain the South Sudan attacks at goal before they conceded an own goal through Salah Ahmed after 77 minutes.
Ethiopia playing their first Group B match also brushed aside Burundi 3-0.
First half goals by Zemicheal Mintahel, Akrem Abduselam and Abdisa Gutema were enough to ensure Ethiopia collected maximum points to move into second place behind Uganda.
After losing their opening match 8-0 to Uganda and falling again to Ethiopia, Burundi become the first team to exit the qualifiers.
Tanzania could book a place in the semi-final if they stop Somalia in a Group C match later today.
Group A
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Rwanda 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
S.Sudan 2 1 0 1 3 3 0 3
Sudan 1 0 0 1 2 3 -1 0
Group B
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Uganda 1 1 0 0 8 0 8 3
Ethiopia 1 1 0 0 3 0 3 3
Burundi 2 0 0 2 0 11 -11 0
Group C
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Tanzania 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
Somalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kenya 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0
Rwanda and Tanzania have collected wins in their opening matches at the on-going 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
The Zonal reigning champions Tanzania defeated Kenya 2-0 in a Group C match, while Rwanda saw-off South Sudan 1-0 in a Group A match, all played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday.
Dismas Athanasi gave Tanzania the lead after 28 minutes, while Godfrey Somi made it 2-0 for Tanzania in the 57th minutes. The Kenyan team tried to fight back, but tactically failed against their opponents.
Sultan Shamba, the Tanzania captain said they are happy winning the opening match against a tough opponent. “We now focus for the next match against Somalia,” added Shamba.
Kenya’s coach William Lukalia Muluya admitted that the Tanzanian team was way better than them tactically and controlled the game well. “We failed to play well against our opponents and now we must concentrate on the next match against Somalia so that we can pick a win,” added Muluya.
In the third match of the day Khalifa Shayaka netted the lone goal after 54 minutes to hand the hosts an opening win.
Rwanda created several scoring opportunities, but failed to finish. Jimmy Mulisa, the Rwanda Coach said it was important to win the opening match so that the team gets good momentum.
“I am happy that we are playing well and creating several scoring opportunities. Let us go back ad work on finishing,” added the former International.
The first match of the day saw Uganda crush Burundi 8-0 in a Group B tie. Action returns on Monday with South Sudan facing Sudan in A tie, while Burundi take on Ethiopia in Group B, and Tanzania battle Somalia in Group C.
Group A
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Rwanda 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
Sudan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
S.Sudan 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
Group B
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Uganda 1 1 0 0 8 0 8 3
Ethiopia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Burundi 1 0 0 1 0 8 -8 0
Group C
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Tanzania 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
Somalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kenya 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0
The Uganda Cubs have made a winning start in the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
Coach Laryea Kingston’s side humbled Burundi 8-0 in their opening Group B match played on Saturday at the Kigali Pele Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.
Arnold Kayemba put Uganda ahead with a well headed goal after 19 minutes. Two minutes later he was on the score sheet again giving the Burundi goalkeeper Cedrick Niyukuri not chance from close range.
The Burundi team tried to push forward to try in search of goals, but skipper Elvis Irakoze had his attempts blocked. Arafat Ibanda and and Nicholas Kawooya netted two more goals for the Cubs for the first half to end 4-0.
Substitute Sebastian Fisher got his name on the score sheet after 73 minutes, while Junior Ofoyrworth made it 6-0 for Uganda three minutes later.
The Scotland based Fisher added two more goals to record his first hat-trick on his debut for Uganda.
“I am very happy with the win and the many goals the boys scored. We need to keep focused and prepare for our next match against Ethiopia,” said Uganda’s coach Kingston.
Tanzania was set to face Kenya in a Group C tie, while hosts Rwanda battle South Sudan in a Group A match in the last match of Day 1.
The 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers is set to kick-off on October 10th at the Kigali Pele Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.
Nine teams will tussle it out to try and secure the three slots to qualify for the finals next year.
Following the withdrawal of Djibouti, CECAFA conducted a mini draw on Friday night at the Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA) headquarters.
The mini draw saw three teams in Group A all re-drawn to fill one place in Group C. Somalia was drawn to join Tanzania and Kenya in Group C.
“We are happy that finally a mini-draw has been conducted and each of the three groups will have three teams each. The best team in each group with qualify for the semi-final stage, while the best second placed team from any of the three groups will also join in the semis,” said Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager.
The opening match of the Zonal qualifier will see Uganda face Burundi in a Group B match (1pm), while the second match will see Tanzania battle Kenya in a Group C tie (4pm).
Hosts Rwanda will face off against South Sudan in a Group A match in the last match of Day 1 at 7pm (local time).
Groups
A: Rwanda, Sudan, South Sudan
B: Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi
C: Tanzania, Somalia, Kenya
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