AFCON U-17 qualifiers
Uganda, Tanzania qualify for semi final stage
Uganda Cubs, Tanzania and Somalia have qualified for the semi final stage at the on-going qualifiers of the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the CECAFA Zone in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Ugandan team registered their second Group B win on Thursday seeing off South Sudan 4-1, while Tanzania stopped hosts Ethiopia 3-2 in hard fought Group A contest at the Abebe Bikila Stadium.
In the first match Uganda picked a 3-0 half time lead with Arafat Nkoola, Patrick Sembuusi and Abubakari Walusimbi scoring. After recess Nkoola scored his second goal of the day, and Abraham Langoya pulled one back for the South Sudan team.
After winning their opening match 4-0 against Burundi Uganda have now topped Group B. Head coach Hamuza Lutalo told Cecafaonline that he is happy with the tactical discipline his players are exhibiting on the pitch. “We no turn focus to prepare for the semi final and our target remains to win the title and qualify for the U-17 AFCON 2023,” added the coach.
In the second match Ethiopia were ejected after falling to Tanzania’s Serengeti Boys. Sylvester Otto and Biruk Hailemariam each netted a brace in the first half for Tanzania and Ethiopia respectively.
But it was Idrisa Makwepa’s well timed headed goal that gave Tanzania the win and sends them through the semi final before they even face Somalia in the last Group A match on Sunday. Somalia who beat Ethiopia 1-0 in their opening match are also already through to the knock out stage.
On Sunday Tanzania will take on Somalia in the last Group A match, while Burundi will battle South Sudan to decide which team finish second in Group B.
The best two teams in the qualifiers will qualify for the U-17 AFCON to be staged in Algeria next year.
Djibouti have withdrawn their team from participating in the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
“We have received communication from the Djibouti Football Federation indicating that they have withdrawn their team,” says Jean Sseninde, the CECAFA Interim Executive Director.
Djibouti had been drawn alongside Tanzania and Kenya for the Zonal qualifier which takes place October 10-19th in Kigali, Rwanda.
“The Djibouti Football Federation (FDF) regrets to inform you that Djibouti will not be able to participate in the qualifiers for the 2026 CECAFA U-17 AFCON, scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda. This decision stems directly from exceptional circumstances beyond our control,” said a communication from the Djibouti Football Federation (DFF).
Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager has made it cleat that after this development, a mini draw will be performed in-order to balance the groups.
“ With this, to complete the Group C that remains with two teams, we will proceed to the mini draw that will allow us to balance the groups and to have three teams in each group. However, we are requesting for your patience until the end of the MRI process,” added Mossi.
The nine remaining teams are expected to complete the MRI tests in Kigali on Wednesday.
The best three teams will qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
Teams: Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya
AFCON U-17 qualifiers
Rwanda draw Sudan, Somalia in 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON CECAFA qualifiers
Hosts Rwanda have drawn Sudan, Somalia and South Sudan for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
Rwanda will host the Zonal qualifier in the capital Kigali from October 10-19th, and the best three teams will qualifier for the continental final.
The draw was conducted by the CECAFA Competitions Manager Yusuf Mossi and assisted by Tanzania’s Ladaki Chasambi (MVP at the 2018 U-17 AFCON qualifiers) at the Azam Studio in Dar es salaam on Wednesday.
Uganda have been placed in Group B together with Ethiopia and Burundi. The reigning champions Tanzania, Djibouti and Kenya are placed in Group C. The matches will be played at the Kigali Pele Stadium and the FERWAFA Technical Centre play ground.
The top teams in each Group will automatically qualify for the semi-final stage, while the best second placed team from all the three groups will also join in the semis.
The two finalists and the winner of the play-off for third place will qualify to play at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Group A: Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan
Group B: Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi
Group C: Tanzania, Djibouti, Kenya
The draw for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 CECAFA qualifiers will take place on September 23rd in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Yusuf Mossi, the Competitions Manager of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) said the draw will be hosted at Azam TV studios.
“We are delighted that our broadcast partners Azam TV have accepted to host the draw,” said Mossi.
The Zonal qualifiers are set to take place October 10-20th in the Rwandan capital Kigali. “Ten Member Associations have registered their teams for the qualifiers,” confirmed Mossi.
The best three teams will qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.
Tanzania are the reigning champions after they defeated Uganda in the final last year when the tournament was held in Ethiopia.
Teams: Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan
Tanzania’s Luqman Mbalasalu and Dawit Kasaw Yirdaw received the joint Top scorer Award at the climax of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
The two players each finished with eight goals a piece as the tournament ended on Tuesday at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Isayas Jira, the President of the Ethiopia Football Federation and CAF Exco Member awarded the two players.
The hosts who finished third also won the Fair Play Award, while Tanzania’s Haji Abdallah who also stopped two penalties in the tournament was voted Best goalkeeper.
Uganda’s captain Owen Mukisa voted Best Player of the tournament received his Award from the CECAFA Acting President and President of the Burundi Football Federation, Alexandre Muyenge.
Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, the Tanzania Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports handed of the Best Coach Award to Elieneza Nicolaus Nsangazelu.
Awards
Fair Play Award – Ethiopia
Gold Medalists – Tanzania
Silver Medalists – Uganda
Bronze Medalists – Ethiopia
Best Goalkeeper – Haji Abdallah (Tanzania)
Top Scorers – Luqman Mbalasalu (Tanzania), Dawit Kasaw Yirdaw (Ethiopia)
Best Player – Owen Mukisa (Uganda)
Best Coash – Elieneza Nicolaus Nsangazelu (Tanzania)
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