The Swallows of Burundi have stopped Gambia 3-2 in the opening Group F match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Striker Abedi Bigirimana gave Burundi the lead after 31 minutes, and Frederic Nsabiyumva made it 2-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

But the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFON) quarter finalists Gambia pulled a goal back through Musa Barrow in added time of the first half.

After recess Sudi Abdallah netted Burundi’s third goal after 75 minutes as the Swallows continued to push forward for more goals. Gambia were awarded a penalty i added time and Ebrima Colley made no mistake from the spot.

Etienne Ndayiragije, the Burundi head coach said it was good to start the qualifiers with a win. “We need to be motivated as we start preparations for the next match next week,” added the coach.

In another Group F match played Kenya took an early lead through Masoud Juma, but fell 2-1 away to Gabon. Denis Bouanga and Guelor Kanga scored for the home side.

Djibouti also suffered a 6-0 defeat away to Egypt in a Group A qualifying tie, while Somalia suffered a 3-1 loss away to Algeria in a Group G qualifier. Sudan settled for a 1-1 draw against Togo in a Group B qualifying match.

On Wednesday Rwanda under new coach Torsten Frank Spittler were held by Zimbabwe to a goalless draw in a Group C match played at the Huye Stadium. Ethiopia also settled for a 0-0 draw against Sierra Leone in a Group A match played in Morocco

Collected results for CECAFA Zone teams

Rwanda 0 Zimbabwe 0

Ethiopia 0 Sierra Leone 0

Burundi 3 Gambia 2

Egypt 6 Djibouti 0

Sudan 1 Togo 1

Algeria 3 Somalia 1

Gabon 2 Kenya 1

The Harambee Stars of Kenya have registered a 2-1 win against Rwanda in their last Group E match in the on-going FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Skipper Michael Olunga Ogada gave the hosts a quick 1-0 lead after only two minutes at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi this evening. After 15 minutes Richard Odada converted from the sport to make it 2-0.

After recess the Amavubi came back determined and pushed forward in search of goals. Olivier Niyonzima pulled one goal back for Rwanda after 66 minutes.

It was Kenya’s first win in the qualifiers as they finished third in the Group with six points, while Uganda Cranes who suffered a 1-0 defeat away to table leaders Mali in a match played in Morocco yesterday finished second with nine points.

Mali who won five matches and drew once picked 16 points to qualify for the play-off stage of the qualifiers.

In the other matches involving teams from the CECAFA region played on over the weekend, Tanzania picked a 1-1 draw away to 10-man Madagascar in a Group J match. Ethiopia also picked a 1-1 draw away to Zimbabwe in a Group G tie played in Harare.

The Taifa Stars of Tanzania and Uganda have faltered in the on-going FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers

Going into the matches today Tanzania topped Group J, while the Uganda Cranes team was second in Group E with two points behind Mali.

However, Tanzania suffered a 3-0 defeat to visiting DR Congo at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, while hosts Uganda Cranes needed a late goal to settle for 1-1 against arch-rivals Kenya.

Tanzania v DR Congo

Although the Taifa Stars team started well with Simon Msuva’s shot missing the target by inches after 3 minutes, the DR Congo team took command of the match.

Gael Kakuta gave the DR Congo the lead after 6 minutes against the run of play. He placed the ball past Tanzania’s goalkeeper Aishi Manula.

After 66 minutes Idumba Fasika made it 2-0 for DR Congo with a well taken volley inside the box after a corner kick.

Later substitute John Bocco had his header saved by DR Congo goalkeeper Joel Kiassumbua from close range after 78 minutes. But Ben Malongo made it 3-0 for DR Congo with a well taken header after 85 minutes.

The win sends DR Congo to second place with 8 points, while Benin who won 2-0 against Madagascar are top with 10 points.

Uganda Vs Kenya

Uganda Cranes also needed a win against Kenya to stay in contention for a play in the next stage. After a goalless first half, the Kenyan team continued to dominate play.

Skipper Micheal Olunga Ogada put Kenya in the lead after 61 minutes with a well timed header past the Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Charles Lukwago.

But a late blunder by Kenyan goalkeeper Brian Bwire Okoth after 90 minutes gave striker Fahad Bayo chance to make it 1-1 with a tap-in.

“ I am disappointed with the result today,” said Uganda Cranes coach Milutin’ Micho’ Sredojevic.Mali have secured a place in the final stage of the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers

Rwanda V Mali

After Uganda and Kenya settling for a draw, table leaders Mali sealed their place in the next round of the qualifiers after picking a 3-0 win away to 10-man Rwanda.

Rwanda were reduced by a player after only eight minutes when Djihad Bizimana was sent-off.

After 19 minutes Moussa Djenepo put the Les Aigles Mali in front, before Ibrahima Kone made it 2-0 after one minute at the Nyamirambo Stadium in Kigali.

Ernest Sugira who was leading Rwanda’s attack failed to break the Malian defence. In the second half Rwanda defended better than the first half, but still conceded a third goal after 88 minutes through Kalifa Coulibaly.

Ethiopia v Ghana

In a Group G match played at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, Andre Ayew gave Ghana the lead against Ethiopia, but Getaneh Kebede leveled matters after 72 minutes.

Ethiopia are third in Group G with 4 points, while South Africa were to face Zimbabwe later lead with 10 points and a better goal difference than Ghana who also have the same number of points.

On Friday two other teams from the CECAFA region Djibouti and Sudan will also be in action. Djibouti who are yet to pick a point will face African reigning champions Algeria, while Sudan face Morocco in a Group I encounter.

The national teams of Tanzania and Uganda are the only sides with a chance in the CECAFA region to advance to the next stage of the FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers.

Taifa Stars of Tanzania are currently top of Group J with 7 points, and a better goal difference than second placed Benin who also have the same number of points.

After picking a hard earned win away to Benin, the Taifa Stars should be at their best and work hard to pick maximum points when they host the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

“We need to be at our best and make sure we take our chances. We also need to be very cautious and defend well,” said Tanzania’s head coach Kim Poulsen.

The Ugandan Cranes who picked two wins against Rwanda in the last games to improve their chances in Group E will also hope to use home advantage when they host arch-rivals Kenya on Thursday at the St. Marys Kitende Stadium, Kitende.

Uganda who have 8 points and two points behind table leaders Mali who will play away to Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali. The Rwanda team are yet to pick any win in the qualifiers.

But Uganda’s coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic made it clear that matches between Uganda and Kenya are always tough encounters. “ First, we want to focus on the do or die game against Kenya before thinking of the away game to Mali,’ said Sredojevic. Victory for Uganda will give them a chance going into the last away game against Mali.

Ethiopia who are out of contention in Group G will hosts the Black Stars of Ghana at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. Ethiopia only have 3 points, while South Africa top the table with 10 points, one ahead of Ghana.

On Friday two other teams from the CECAFA region will also be in action as Djibouti take on Algeria in a Group A match at the Cairo Stadium in Egypt, while Sudan will take on Group I table leaders Morocco at the the Prince Mpoulay Abdellah Complex in Rabat.