The Serengeti Boys of Tanzania have defeated Nigeria 3-2 in their opening match of the invitational 4-Nations China International Youth Football tournament in Yinchuan, China.

Issa Chole and Hamisi Chenga gave Tanzania a 2-0 half time lead at the Yinchaun Sports Centre Helanshan Stadium on Sunday.

In the second half, the Golden Eaglets came out with renewed purpose after the interval and were rewarded with a goal. But Tanzania restored their two-goal advantage when Kassim Juma produced a superb finish to make it 3-1.

Nigeria reduced the deficit again a few minutes later. In an earlier match hosts China defeated Australia 3-0.

Action continues on July 8^th with Tanzania facing China, while Australia take on Nigeria. The tournament will end on July 11^th as Tanzania face Australia and China take on Nigeria.

Tanzania are using the 4-Nations Invitational tournament to prepare ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026 to take place in December in Qatar.

Tanzania Premier League side, Simba SC will feature in the regional CECAFA Kagame Cup.

Rwanda will host the tournament slated for July 24^th to August 8^th in Kigali at the Amahoro National Stadium and the Kigali Pele Stadium.

Simba SC who have lifted the regional trophy a record six times return to the event since their last appearance in 2018 where they lost 2-1 to Azam FC.

Jean Sseninde, the Interim Executive Director confirmed that all top teams from the region will play in the tournament. “We are excited that this tournament will give the 12 teams a platform to prepare well ahead of the CAF competitions kicking off in September 2026,” added Sseninde.

She disclosed that the 12th team will be announced on July 6th, 2026. Hosts will be represented by top sides APR FC and Rayon Sports FC.

Three Member Associations Ethiopia, Eritrea and Burundi will not send teams to the CECAFA Kagame Cup. Last year Tanzanian side Singida Black Stars FC stopped Al Hilal SC in the final.

Eleven teams for CECAFA Kagame Cup 2026

APR FC, ⁠Rayon Sport (Rwanda), ⁠Simba SC (Tanzania), ⁠Vipers SC (Uganda), ⁠Al Hilal SC, ⁠El Merriekh SC (Sudan), ⁠Gor Mahia FC (Kenya), ⁠Mogadishu City FC (Somalia), ⁠Jamus SC ( South Sudan), ⁠FC Garde Républicaine (Djibouti), ⁠KVZ FC (Zanzibar)

Tanzania’s U-17 team will feature in a 4-Nation China International Youth Football Tournament 2026.

The Serengeti Boys, fresh from finishing second in the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) traveled to China on Thursday.

Hosts China, Australia, Nigeria and Tanzania will take part in the competition scheduled for the Yinchaun Sports Centre Helanshan Stadium.

Tanzania will open their campaign with a match against the Five-time World U-17 champions Nigeria on July 5^th, and take on hosts China after three days.

“We are happy that the Serengeti Boys have got this opportunity to travel to China and play against different teams as they prepare ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in December,” Wallace Karia, the Tanzania Football Federation President told Xinhua.

The Chinese Football Association, Ningxia Hul Autonomous Region Administration of Sport and Yinchuan Municipal People’s Government are the hosts of the 4-Nation competition. Ningxia Football Association in conjunction with the Yinchuan Sports Bureau, and promoted by the China Football Industry Development Corporation are the organisers.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced dates for the start of the 2026/2027 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

According to CAF, the first Preliminary round matches will kick off September 4-6^th (first leg), while the return legs are played September 11-13^th.

The Second preliminary round matches will take place October 16-18^th (first round) and the return matches to be played October 23-25^th.

Group stages are scheduled to be played between November 2026 and January 2027, and the quarterfinals to be played between February 26th and March 7^th, 2027.

The semi-finals will be played between April 9-18^th, while the finals between May 9-31^st, 2027.

Prize money of USD 6 million will be up for grabs for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League winners, and USD 4 million for the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup champions.

Last season Sudan side Al Hilal reached the quarter final stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. Kenya’s Nairobi United FC, and Tanzania’s duo of Azam FC and Singida Black Stars FC played in the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.