Mazin Fadul Albahli Taour has said winning the Best player’s Award in the Zonal AFCON U-20 qualifiers has excited him.

The Sudan player was voted Best Player of the AFCON U-20 CECAFA qualifiers which ended on September 24^th at the Unhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Mazin Fadul played a pivotal role helping Sudan edge Tanzania in penalties 4-3 in the final after the match had ended 1-1.

“This Award has really excited me and I will continue to work even harder. It is very good to see Sudan qualify for the AFCON U-20 after over ten years,” said the player.

Tanzania’s Shaban Bakari was voted Best Goalkeeper, while Burundi’s Amini Nshimirimana scooped the Top scorer’s Award after netting four goals.

While Sudan picked gold and a trophy, Tanzania settled for silver, while Uganda bagged bronze. Tanzania also scopped the Fair Play Trophy.

Wallace Karia, the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) President and CAF Executive Member, TFF Vice President Athumani Nyamlani, Sudan Football Association (SFA) Head of Delegation Mohamed Abdalla Magzoub and CECAFA Interim Executive Director Jean Sseninde graced the Awards ceremony.

Tanzania have qualified for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)

The Ngorongoro Boys secured their place after humbling Burundi 2-0 in the second semi-final match of the CECAFA Zonal qualifiers played at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.

Juma Abushiri gave Tanzania the lead after 17 minutes after Burundi’s goalkeeper Omari Niyonkuru failed to punch away a curving ball off a corner kick.

The Burundi team who won all their two matches in the group stage tried to push forward, but the Tanzanian defenders stood firm.

Tanzania increasing their lead after Faraji Kayanda got his name on the score sheet after 33 minutes when he tapped in from close range after a quick counter attack.

After recess, the Burundi team made a switch to their tactical approach and started creating more scoring opportunities. Tanzania’s goalkeeper Shabani Bakari made some good saves to deny Burundi any opportunity to find goals.

Tanzania now join Burundi in the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as representatives from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone. The two teams will face-off on Thursday to decide who wins the regional title.

The regional qualifiers attracted nine teams; Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Burundi, South Sudan, Djibouti, Kenya and Rwanda.

Sudan have qualified for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Sudan team battled from a goal down to defeat Uganda 3-2 in the first semi-final match of the CECAFA Zonal qualifier played on Tuesday at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Richard Okello gave Uganda the lead after only 7 minutes. But three minutes later Rudwan Yahya Mohamed Ishag leveled matters for Sudan.

The two teams continued to attack and create several scoring opportunities, but went into the break with the score board reading 1-1.

After recess, the Sudan got off their blocks faster making it 2-1 after 47 minutes Mazin Fadul Albahli Taoer finishing off past Uganda’s goalkeeper Adrian Isabirye from close range.

But the Uganda team did not give up and equalized through  Derrick Sssozi after 65 minutes. Albahi Taoer netted the winning goal after 83 minutes to send Sudan into the 2027 CAF U-20 AFCON.

“I am very happy that I have scored two goals to help Sudan qualify for AFCON,” said an emotional Albahi Taoer after the match.

Salaheldin Ahmed Nuoreldin Ahmed, the Sudan head coach thanked his players for the work well done. “It was not an easy match. But we thank Allah for guiding us into the AFCON U-20,” said a happy Ahmed.

As Sudan wait to play the final on Thursday, the second semi-final match between Burundi and Tanzania will take place later this afternoon.

The semi-final stage is finally set at the on-going 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

Tanzania, Uganda and Sudan booked their places on Saturday to join Burundi who qualified two days earlier.

In the first Group C match played Kenya came from a goal down to force a draw against South Sudan in a match played at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Jonathan Ajoung gave South Sudan the lead after 26 minutes, but Brigthon Nacheri leveled matters in added time to ensure Kenya walked a way with a point in the tournament. The two teams bowed out after finishing with 1 point each.

The draw in the first match automatically saw Uganda and Sudan who were set to play the next match qualify before kicking a ball because they already had three points each respectively.

Uganda later picked a 1-0 win against Sudan as coach Laryea Kingston’s team maintained their 100% winning run to top Group B. Substitute Amour Munogera scored the lone goal.

In that last match of the day hosts Tanzania defeated Ethiopia 4-0. Bashiri Salum Kibaila netted a first half brace, while Juma Sagwe also scored a brace in the second half for the Ngorongoro Boys.

The semi finals will be played on Tuesday with Uganda facing Sudan, while Tanzania take on Burundi in what promises to be explosive.

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   2     2    0    0    7     0     7     6

Rwanda     2     0    1    1    0     3    -3     1

Ethiopia    2     0    1    1    0     4    -4     1

Group B standing

                   P    W   D   L   GF   GA  GD  Pts

Uganda     2     2    0    0    5     1     4     6

Sudan        2     1    0    1    3     1     2     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        2     0    1    1     1     3   -2     1

S. Sudan    2     0    1    1    1     5    -4     1