The Uganda Cubs have qualified for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Coach Kingston Laryea’s team secured the slot after defeating Ethiopia 4-0 in the first semi final of the CECAFA Zonal qualifiers played on Saturday at the Kigali Pele Stadium, Rwanda.

Defender Ukashsa Jemba gave Uganda the lead after only two minutes with a hard shot from outside the box that th Ethiopian goalkeeper Biniyam Adisu Bancha failed to block.

Five minutes later Arnold Kayemba increased Uganda’s lead scoring his fourth goal of the tournament.

Ethiopia tried to re-organise their midfield, but failed to match the free flowing Ugandan side. Yusuf Ssenyonga netted two more goals before the break as Uganda run rings around the Ethiopian defending line.

Akrem Abduselam Jemal had an opportunity to pull a goal back for Ethiopia after 41 minutes, but the Ugandan goalkeeper David Ssegirinya punched the shot out for a corner.

After recess Ethiopia’s technical bench brought in the fresh legs of Jonathan Addis Mezgebe, Nurhasen Wujra Negethzi and Zemichael Minyahel Niguse, but no no avail.

To reach the final Uganda humbled Burundi 8-0, and settled for a 1-1 draw against Ethiopia in Group B matches.

The second semi-final will see hosts Rwanda face 2022 Zonal champions Somalia to decide which team takes the second slot. The third slot will be decided on October 19^th in the play-off match to decide the bronze medal winner. The final will also be played on October 19th.

The hosts Rwanda have advanced to the semi-final stage at the on-going 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers    

After winning their opening match 1-0 against South Sudan, Rwanda defeated Sudan 2-0 in their second Group A match played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Wednesday night.

Pacifique Bahati curved in a free kick after 44 minutes to put Rwanda ahead in-front of their passionate home fans. In the second half the Sudan team defended in numbers, but substitute Valentin Tuyizere netted the second goal with a well taken loop.

The win sees Rwanda top Group A with 6 points and now qualify to face Somalia in the semi-final stage on Saturday.

Somalia defeated Kenya 2-0 in an earlier Group C match. Mohamud Osman and Abdullahi Hashi scored for the Somalian team.

The win saw Somalia finish equal with 4 points and with the same number of points and goals scored and conceded as Tanzania. But Somalia advanced as Group C leaders after a toss was conducted by the CECAFA competitions committee as per the CAF regulations of the qualifiers.

In an earlier Group B match Uganda and Ethiopia settled for a 1-1 draw. After a goalless first half, Ethiopia took the lead after  71 minutes through Zemichael Minyahel. But Uganda leveled matters six minutes later through Arnold Kayemba.

Uganda qualified as leaders of Group B with 4 goals and a better goal difference than Ethiopia. The Ethiopian side also advanced as the second best team among all the three groups.

Uganda will now face Ethiopia in the first semi-final match, while Rwanda will face Somalia in th second semi fial clash, all to be played on October 17^th at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

The finalists and the team that wins the play-off will automatically qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)

Group A

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Rwanda     2    2     0    0     3    0    3     6

S.Sudan     2    1     0    1     3    3    0     3

Sudan        2     0    0    2      2   5    -3    0

Group B

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Uganda     2    1     1    0     9    1    8     4

Ethiopia    2    1     1    0     4    1    3     4

Burundi     2    0     0    2    0    11  -11  0

Group C

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Somalia      2    1     1    0    3     1    2     4

Tanzania    2    1     1    0     3    1    2     4

Kenya         2     0     0    2    0    4   -4     0

NB: After teams tied on points and goals, Somalia wins the toss and finish top of the group.

Somalia have kick started their TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers with a draw against Tanzania.

The 2022 Zonal champions held Tanzania to a 1-1 draw in an explosive Group C match played on Monday at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

Abdikarin Abdulkadir netted the fastest goal in the tournament giving Somalia a 1-0 lead after 1 minute. But the Tanzanian side reorganized and started to dictate the pace of the game.

After 24 minutes Tanzania were awarded a penalty after Ikram Yahaya was brought down in the box. Skipper Elick Yusuph made no mistake from the spot to level matters 1-1.

The two teams continued to create several scoring opportunities in the fast paced match, but the defenders and goalkeepers stood firm.

Somalia’s head coach Dadir Amin Ali praised his team for the good fight against a strong Tanzanian side. “Playing against a good team like Tanzania is not very easy. I am happy we managed to pick a point, now we prepare for our last match group match against Kenya,” added Ali.

The Tanzania coach Elieneza Nicolaus Nsanganzelu said that his team was not very sharp at goal after creating many scoring opportunities. “Let us continue working hard because we still have more matches to come,” added the coach.

The draw for Tanzania means that no team has yet qualified for the semi-final stage. All the teams that will advance to the semis will be decided on October 14^th when the last group matches will be played.

On Wednesday Somalia will face Kenya in a Group C tie, while Ethiopia battle Uganda in Group B, and Sudan take on Rwanda in a Group A encounter.

The semi-final matches will be played on October 17^th, while the play-off for third place and final will be played on October 19^th. The best three teams will qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

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    2    1     1    0     3    1    2     4

Somalia      1     0     1    0    1    1    0     1

Kenya         1     0     0    1    0    2   -2     0

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