Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda pick vital wins in FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers

Teams from the CECAFA Zone Tanzania, Sudan and Rwanda have registered vital wins in the on-going FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

The Taifa Stars shocked hosts Zambia 1-0 in a Group E match played in Ndola on Tuesday evening, while Rwanda also defeated Lesotho 1-0 in a Group C match played in Durban, South Africa.

Sudan were the biggest winners after humbling South Sudan 3-0 in the newly refurbished Juba National Stadium.

Waziri Shentembo netted the lone goal for Tanzania after only 5 minutes. The Zambian team tried to fight back and attacked in numbers, but the Taifa Stars defenders stood firm. The win sends Tanzania to second place with 6 points from three matches played, while Morocco who have played two matches are still top with the same number of points and better goal difference.

Rwanda who suffered a 1-0 defeat to Benin last week were a much more hungry side for a win against Lesotho today. After creating several chances, Jojea Kwizera scored after 45 minutes, and the match ended with no more goals.

After four matches played Rwanda move top of Group C with 7 points and a better goal difference than South Africa who beat Zimbabwe 3-1 and also moved to 7 points.

At the Juba National Stadium in a match watched by the South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and FIFA President Gianni Infantino among others, the visitors won 3-0. Safour Waliedin gave Sudan the lead going into the interval, while Eltayeb Yasir and Yousif Mohamed added two more goals in the second half.

The win sends Sudan top of Group B with 10 points from 4 matches played, while 2019 African champions Senegal are second on 8 points, and DR Congo 8 points in third place.

Kenya and Ivory Coast played out to a goalless draw in a Group F match played in Lilongwe, Malawi. Burundi later defeated Seychelles 3-1 to move to second place in Group F with 7 points, while Ivory Coast top with 10 points.

Bienvenue Kanakimana netted a brace, while Sudi Abdallah scored the other goal for Burundi in a match played in Berkane, Morocco. Lorenzo Hoareau scored the consolation goal for Seychelles.

Collected results for CECAFA teams on June 10-11th

Botswana 3 Somalia 1

Uganda 1 Algeria 2

South Sudan 0 Sudan 3

Zambia 0 Tanzania 1

Kenya 0 Ivory Coast 0

Seychelles 1 Burundi 3