Teams from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone Djibouti and South Sudan will face off in the preliminary round of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.

The draw for the preliminary round of the qualifiers was conducted on January 13^th in Rabat, Morocco. Twelve lowly ranked teams as per the FIFA rankings were drawn.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.

Eritrea who also return to the AFCON qualifiers after some years will take on Eswatini, while Ethiopia will battle Sao Tome & Principe. Burundi will also face Chad in the other match, and Somalia take on Mauritius.

According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the preliminary matches for the qualifiers will be played during the next FIFA International Window, March 25-31 March 2026.

The six winners of the preliminary round ties over two legs will advance to join the other 42 CAF Member Associations in the group stage of the qualifiers.

Preliminary round fixture

Djibouti vs South Sudan

Chad vs Burundi

Somalia vs Mauritius

Seychelles vs Lesotho

Eritrea vs Eswatini

Sao Tome & Principe vs Ethiopia

Young Africans SC have edged Azam FC 5-4 in penalty shoot-outs to win the NMB Mapinduzi Cup 2026.

After a goalless final in normal time in a final played at the Gombani Stadium in Pemba, Zanzibar on January 13th, Young Africans SC proved the better side on spot kicks.

Young Africans SC dominated were a better side on the day, but Azam FC goalkeeper Aishi Manula made several saves including a late penalty by Pacome Zouzoua.

Azam FC, the five time winners also had Cheickna Diakite sent off for a second booking after 73 minutes.

The President of Zanzibar, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi also graced the final.

To reach the final Azam FC eliminated Simba SC 1-0, while Young Africans SC ejected Singida Black Stars FC by the same margin.

NMB Bank were the sponsors of the the tournament which attracted 10 teams including guest side Uganda Revenue Authority FC.

The competition was organized by the government of Zanzibar and the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF).

Uganda Cranes midfielder Allan Okello has joined Tanzania Premier League giants, Young Africans Sports Club.

The announcement was made by the Tanzania Premier League reigning champions on Monday night.

Okello who was part of the Uganda Cranes squad at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco arrived in Tanzania on Monday and had a successful medical.

“Vipers SC thanks Okello for his professionalism, commitment and decisive contributions during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history and wishes him the very best in the next chapter of his career,” added his former Ugandan side Vipers SC.

The 25-year old star player Okello who also helped Vipers SC win a double last season was also part of the Uganda Cranes team that reached the quarter final stage of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) last year hosted by the three East African Nations Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

Okello also went to X (formerly Twitter) and thanked Vipers SC for the wonderful two and half years he spent with them. “I bid farewell very pleased with this chapter of my career, and I’m also excited for the next to begin. I take with me wonderful and unforgettable memories,” said Okello.

Having joined Vipers in September 2023 following his return from Algerian side Paradou AC, Okello quickly established himself as the team’s creative player. In the 2024/2025 season he was Vipers Sc’s top scorer with 19 goals.

Other Ugandan players who have featured for Young Africans SC before include; Khalid Aucho, Hamis ‘Diego’ Kizza, Juma Balinya and Emmanuel Okwi.

Tanzania Premier Leagies sides Young Africans SC and Azam FC will clash in the final of the NMB Mapinduzi Cup 2026.

The final will take place January 13^th, 2026 at the Gombani Stadium in Pemba, Zanzibar.

To reach the final Azam FC eliminated Simba SC 1-0 in a semi-final match played on Thursday, while Young Africans SC also saw off Singida Black Stars FC by the same margin in a match played on Friday at the New Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.

The final to be graced by the President of Zanzibar, Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi will take place on January 13^th at the Gombani Stadium in Pemba.

Azam FC have lifted the Mapinduzi Cup a record five times, while Simba SC have won it three times, while Young Africans SC, Mtibwa Sugar FC, and Mlandege FC have all lifted the trophy twice  

The competition organized by the government of Zanzibar and the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) this year attracted 10 teams including guest side Uganda Revenue Authority FC.