The national team of Sudan has intensified preparations in Taif, Saudi Arabia ahead of their 2027 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier matches.

Sudan will host Ethiopia in Juba on September 25^th and face Mozambique four days later in Maputo in Group J matches.

James Kwesi Appiah, the Sudan head coach has made it clear that they are looking forward to making a good start in the qualifiers because their target is to qualify for the AFCON 2027.

“We have had players joining the team in groups because many have been busy with their teams in CAF competitions,” added Appiah.

Nine other teams in the CECAFA Zone are also preparing ahead of Day 1 of the AFCON qualifiers.

South Sudan under a new coach Christian N’Sengi-Biembe are also preparing to play away to Malawi in a Group B match, while Rwanda will host Liberia in a Group K tie on the September 25^th.

Eritrea who qualified from the preliminary stage will play away to Kenya, while Somalia travel to face The Gambia in Group D and C matches respectively. Uganda and Burundi will travel to face Tunisia and Togo respectively.

The AFCON 2027 will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Day 1 matches for CECAFA teams

Group B: Malawi vs South Sudan

Group C: Gambia vs Somalia

Group D: Kenya vs Eritrea

Group H: Tunisia vs Uganda

Group I: Togo vs Burundi

Group J: Sudan vs Ethiopia

Group K: Rwanda vs Liberia

Group L: Tanzania vs Guinea

Burundi are the first team to qualify for the semi-final stage at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers in Tanzania.

After seeing off South Sudan 4-0 in their opening Group C match few days ago, the Burundi team collected a second straight win beating Kenya 2-0 on Thursday.

Captain Amini Nshimirimana gave scored to give Burundi after only 10 minutes. After a good build up in the Kenyan half, Nshimirimana made no mistake beat Kenya’s goalkeeper Wayne Orata.

The Kenyan team tried to push forward, but failed to penetrate the tight defending line marshaled by Cadeau Ndayishimiye and Radjabu Nzeyimana.

In the second half Nshimirimana was again quick to nod the ball past the Kenyan goalkeeper after 68 minutes to make it 2-0.

Kenya’s Edwin Jumba and substitute Theodore Gitari tried to push forward with shots from outside the box, but failed to score.

It was all celebration for the Burundi team after the final whistle. Jean De Dieu Rukundo, the Burundi coach thanked his team for a job well done to qualify for the semi finals.

“The first goal has been achieved. Now we focus on the semi final,” added the Burundi head coach.

Action continues on Saturday with Kenya facing South Sudan, Sudan battling Uganda, and Ethiopia taking on hosts Tanzania.

With Burundi topping Group C, they now await to face the top team in Group A at the semi-final stage on September 22, while the top team in Group B will face the best second placed team from all the groups.

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

Group A standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Tanzania   1     1    0    0    3     0     3     3

Ethiopia    1     0    1    0    0     0     0     1

Rwanda    2     0    1     1    0     3    -3    1

Group B standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Uganda     1     1    0    0    4     1     3     3

Sudan        1     1    0    0    3     0     3     3

Djibouti     2     0    0    2    1     7    -6     0

Group C standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Burundi     2     2    0    0    6     0     6     6

Kenya        1     0    0    1     0     2   -2     0

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

Sudan have kick started their campaign in the on-going TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers with a convincing win against Djibouti.

The Sudan team brushed a side Djibouti 3-0 in a Group B match played on Thursday at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

Wail Galal Omer netted a goal in each half, while Ibrahim Samani also got his name on the score sheet for Sudan.

Sudan started the match with intensity to score after only 8 minutes through Omer. Djibouti’s defending line of Derrick Adede and Mahamood Bilal failed to match the pace of the Sudan’s attacking force.

After recess  Samani made it 2-0 for Sudan after 54 minutes, and Omer picked his second goal of the day after 84 minutes.

While Djibouti exit the tournament after losing two matches, Sudan move to second behind Uganda who won their opening match 4-1 against Djibouti.

Abdirahman Ali Abubakar, the Sudan coach praised his players for the good performance. “I am happy we scored three goals and conceded none,” said the coach.

In an earlier Group A match Ethiopia settled for a goalless draw against Rwanda. With four teams already with three points collected, Rwanda with one point are also out of the competition.

Group C table leaders Burundi were set to face Kenya in the last match of the day.

Group A standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Tanzania   1     1    0    0    3     0     3     3

Ethiopia    1     0    1    0    0     0     0     1

Rwanda    2     0    1     1    0     3    -3    1

Group B standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Uganda     1     1    0    0    4     1     3     3

Sudan        1     1    0    0    3     0     3     3

Djibouti     2     0    0    2    1     7    -6     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

The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has made it clear that the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 will be one of the best ever seen.

Speaking during a press conference at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es salaam after a short visit to Tanzania on Thursday, Dr. Patrice Motsepe made it clear that although there is a lot of negative media information out there, the tournament will take place in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

“There is no Plan B, there is no Plan C, there never will be a Plan B, there never will be a Plan C. We are working hard and the AFCON will take place,” the CAF President made it clear during the press conference.

He said that although there are some challenges and emergencies, the three East African countries that will host the tournament are working hard together with CAF to ensure. “We’re going to work together on those areas where we are falling behind, we’ll correct them,” added Dr. Motsepe.

He also made it clear that he has seen improvements since his last visit. “The problem is we are nine months away from the AfCON, which is a big emergency,” he added.

The CAF President said he is also traveling to Kenya t inspect and also meet President William Ruto.

“This will be the most successful sporting event that has taken place in Uganda, Kenya Tanzania and East Africa,” he added. Wallace Karia, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and CAF Executive Member also attended the press conference among others.

The CAF President is visiting Tanzania and Kenya as part of on-going TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA 2027 discussions and preparations.

The AFCON PAMOJA 2027 to attract 24 nations is slated to take place June 9^th to July 17, 2027.