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

Three matches are on card as the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers kick-off at the Uhuru Stadium on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

In a Group B battle, Uganda will take on Djibouti in the opening match of the competition.

Layrea Kingston, the Uganda head coach has made it clear that every match in the tournament will be very important because their target is qualification for U-20 AFCON.

“We shall treat the opening match with a lot of seriousness and caution because it will determine the kind of momentum we shall set in the competition,” said Kingston.

The second match will see South Sudan face Burundi in a Group C. John Alier, the South Sudan head coach has also made it clear that they need to work hard and make it through the group to the knock out stage.

“We need to go out and try to win all out group matches because we are targeting qualification for U-20 AFCON,” added the coach.

The third match of the day will see the hosts Tanzania tussle it out against Rwanda in a Group A encounter. The Ngorongoro Heroes are the defending champions in the Zone having lifted the trophy in 2024.

Yusuf Mossi, the Competitions Manager of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has made it clear that they expect a very competitive event. “All the teams have arrived in Dar es salaam and we expect a good competition,” added Mossi.

The semi-final matches will be played September 22nd 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 be played on September 24th. The finalists will qualify for the U-20 AFCON 2027.

Hosts Tanzania are the winners of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

The Ngorongoro Boys put up a spirited fight to defeat Kenya 2-1 in the final played at the KMC Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

After a well-balanced first half that ended goalless, the Kenyan team got off their blocks first after recess to score through Hassan Kitsao after 48 minutes. He capitalized on a well placed Aldrine Kibet through pass to place the ball past Tanzanian goalkeeper Anthony Mpemba.

The home side pushed forward and pinned the Kenyan defending line. After a defensive lapse with the Kenyan defenders failing to clear their lines, Valentino Kusengama netted his fifth goal of the tournament after 64 minutes to make it 1-1.

The Ngorongoro Boys continued to dominate play in the midfield and gave no room for the Kenyan attacks to get space. With the clock ticking away Sheikhan Khamis put Tanzania ahead with a well taken shot from outside the box that the Kenyan goalkeeper failed to stop. It was all celebration for the Tanzanian team after the final whistle as they also celebrated revenge against the Kenyan team that beat them by the same score in the group stages.

Elias Lameck, the Tanzania captain said they are proud of lifting the national flag high and qualifying for AFCON U-20 and also winning the title. “We thank all Tanzanians for the support,” he added.

In an earlier match Uganda came from a goal down to defeat Burundi 3-1 in a play-off to determine the team that finishes third. Ramazani Hakizimana netted after 5 minutes for Burundi, But Abubakali Walusimbi leveled matter two minutes into added time of the first half. After recess John Dembe took matters into his hands to score a brace to guide Uganda to victory.

The winners received a trophy and medals, while the runners up and third placed also received medals. The finals were also graced by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) 3rd Vice President, and Chairman of the CAF Youth Football Organizing Committee, Suleiman Waberi.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) and CECAFA President Wallace Karia together with Burundi Football Federation (BFA) President, Alexandre Muyengye, Paulos Weldehaimanot Andemariam (President Eritrea National Football Federation (ENFF), and the South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) President Augustino Maduot Parek also attended the final.

Uganda Hippos striker John Dembe has scooped the top scorer’s Award at the just concluded TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

The Zonal qualifiers climaxed on Sunday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with the home side Ngorongoro Boys stopping Kenya to emerge winners, while Uganda beat Burundi to finish third.

Dembe who plies his trade with BK Hacken in Sweden was the top scorer with six goals. The striker also netted a brace in Uganda’s 3-1 win against Burundi in the play-off match on Sunday.

“I am very happy that I have emerged top scorer in this tournament. As a striker I am very proud of my achievement,” added Dembe.

Tanzania’s Sabri Kondo who also scored five goals was voted best player of the tournament, while Kenya’s Ibrahim Wanzala was voted best goalkeeper.

Kondo thanked all his fellow players for the team work which saw them win the Cup. “I thank everyone for the support,” said Kondo. Kenya picked the Fair Play Award.

The two week long Zonal qualifier attracted Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Djibouti.