Action in the Zonal TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers continues on Thursday with three matches on card at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es salaam.

Ethiopia and Kenya who take to the field for the first time will be out to try and make a good start.

Ethiopia under coach Benjamin Ziemer will face Rwanda in a Group A match, before Djibouti take on Sudan, and Burundi conclude against Kenya.

Rwanda who lost their opening Group A match 3-0 to hosts Tanzania on Tuesday will be all out and try to fight back if they hope to stand a chance to make it to the knock out stage.

André Cassa Mbungo, the Rwanda coach has made it clear that after losing the first match, they will have no alternative but to go all out and get a win against Ethiopia.

For the Ethiopian team they are also going all out to try pick maximum points in the first match. Coach Ziemer who qualified the U-17 team to the AFCON U-17 has made it clear that they will take every match very seriously because their target is qualification to AFCON.

“We have prepared well and we are looking forward to a good start,” added the coach.

Gilbert Selebwa, the Kenya U-20 coach has also made it clear that they are determined to work hard and win matches to be able for the AFCON U-20.

Burundi who defeated South Sudan 4-0 in the opening match will be seeking a second win to advance to the semi-final stage.

The best two teams will automatically qualify for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Hosts Tanzania and Burundi have recorded convincing wins on Day 1 of the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

Burundi run riot by defeating South Sudan 4-0 in a Group C match played on Tuesday night at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es salaam.

Amini Nshimirimana netted a first half brace for Burundi going into the break. The second half was interrupted by a lighting challenge for close to 30 minutes.

The South Sudan team tried to get their act together, but were erratic at goal. Sympathque Majidi also scored a brace to ensure Burundi walked away with a comfortable win amd maximum points.

“I am very happy with the big win because it gives us a perfect start in the tournament,” said Burundi’s coach Jean De Dieu Rukundo.

The third match of the day saw the 2024 Zonal winners Tanzania defeat Rwanda 3-0. Faraji Kayanda, Juma Aushiri and Evastus Lukanima netted first half goals for the Ngorongoro Boys.

Rwanda’s head coach Andre Mbungo Casa made some changes in the second half as the team team put-up a better display and created some scoring opportunities.

Tanzania’s coach Maria Rivera Campesino said that although his team missed many opportunies, he is happy that they are creating them. “We have started with a win and we could win with a bigger margin in other matches because we keep creating many scoring chances,” added the coach.

Earlier Uganda had defeated Djibouti 4-1 in a Group B match. Action returns on Thursday with three matches on card. Rwanda will take on Ethiopia, while Djibouti face Sudan, while Group C table leaders Burundi face a test against Kenya.

Group A standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Tanzania   1     1    0    0    3     0     3     3

Ethiopia    0     0    0    0    0     0     0     0

Rwanda     1     0    0    1    0     3    -3     0

Group B standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Uganda     1     1    0    0    4     1     3     3

Sudan        0     0    0    0    0     0     0     0

Djibouti     1    0    0    1    1    4    -3      0

Group C standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Burundi     1     1    0    0    4     0     4     3

Kenya        0     0    0    0    0     0     0     0

S. Sudan    1     0    0    1    0     4    -4     0

Uganda have defeated Djibouti 4-1 in the opening match of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

Isima Magala gave the Ugandan team the lead after only five minutes on Tuesday at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

After 23 minutes substitute Ishak Tahir leveled matters for the Djibouti team. Tahir made no mistake beating the Ugandan goalkeeper Adrian Isabirye.

The Ugandan team lef by captain Ricahrd Okello continued to attack in numbers, but failed to convert. At the stroke of halftime Genesis Ocen Odiya restored Uganda’s lead.

In the second half Uganda returned with more purpose and pushed deep into the Djibouti half. Okello got his name on the score sheet for Uganda after 60 minutes, and Magala netted his second of the day to make it 4-1.

The Djibouti team tried to shoot from outside the box, but failed to find the target for more goals. The win sends Uganda top of Group B before they face Sudan in the last match of the prelimnary stage.

Laryea Kingston, the Uganda coach said although they missed several scoring opportunities, it is good they managed to collect a win in the first match. “We take every match as it comes and work hard to get a win,” added the coach.

His counterpart Abdirahman Ali Abubakar said his team had started well, but failed to defend better.

The second match will see South Sudan face Burundi in a Group C, while hosts Tanzania face Rwanda in a Group A encounter.

Group B standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Uganda     1     1    0    0    4     1     3     3 

Sudan        0     0    0    0    0     0     0     0

Djibouti     1     0    0    1    1    4    -3     0

The opening match of the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers will see Uganda face Djibouti on September 14^th in a Group B match in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

All matches will be played at the newly renovated Uhuru Stadium.

Nine teams will tussle it out to determine the best two that will qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Yusuf Mossi, the Competitions Manager of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) told Cecafaonline that they expect a very competitive tournament because most teams started early preparations.

“We had a successful draw held in Rwanda on August 31st and three teams are placed in each of the three groups. The top teams in each of the groups, together with the best second placed team from any of the three groups will automatically qualify for the semi-final stage,” explained Mossi.

Tanzania, the reigning U-20 champions in the Zone are placed in Group A alongside Ethiopia and Rwanda, while Group B has Uganda, Sudan and Djibouti. South Sudan, Kenya and Burundi are placed in Group C.

Day 1 will also see South Sudan face Burundi in a Group C tie, while hosts Tanzania will play the last match of the day against Rwanda.

On September 17^th there matches will be played with Rwanda taking on Ethiopia, Djibouti facing Sudan, and Burundi battling Kenya. The last group matches will be played on September 19^th with Kenya playing South Sudan, Sudan lining up against Uganda, and Ethiopia battling Tanzania.

The semi-final matches will be played September 22^nd with Group B winners facing the best second placed team, and Group A winners taking on Group C winners. The play-off and final will take center stage on September 24^th.