Rwanda are the third team from the CECAFA Zone to qualify for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The hosts of the Zonal qualifiers defeated Ethiopia 2-1 in the play-off match for third place on Monday at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

Rwanda took an early 5^th minute lead with a well taken strike by Heylen Jayden Shema from outside the box.

But after eight minutes Abdisa Gutema Dachesa almost leveled matters, but Rwanda’s goalkeeper Emmanuel Nsengiyumva did well to stop the shot.

After 16 minutes Isaac Ndizeye nodded in Rwanda’s second goal finishing off beautifully from a well taken corner.

The Ethiopian did not give up and continued to attack and creating scoring opportunities. With three minutes to half time Akrem Abduselam Jemal pulled a goal back for Ethiopia from close range.

The two teams continued to create several scoring opportunities after the interval, but to no avail.

Rwanda handled by former Internatinal Jimmy Mulisa now join Uganda and Somalia as the three representatives from the CECAFA Zone who will play at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

It will be Rwanda’s second qualification for the CAF U-17 AFCON after their first appearance in 2011 when they hosted and lost 2-1 to Burkina Faso in the final.

Uganda has qualified for the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

After drawing 4-4 in the first leg of the second round of the qualifiers against Burundi, the Uganda Sand Cranes won the return leg 9-6 in a match played at the Bunjako Beach on Sunday.

Joshua Letti Lubwama, Baker Lukooya and Godfrey Edweru all netted two goals each for the Uganda Sand Cranes. Ambrose Kigozi, Brian Nkuubi, and Paul Lule also had their names on the score sheet for the hosts.

La vie Nininahazwe and Mossi Nshimirimana each netted a hat-trick for the Burundi team.

“We are very happy to qualify for the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations. We have worked really hard to be able to qualify,” said Uganda’s Baker Lukooya.

Uganda will be the only team from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone at the competition after Tanzania were eliminated by Mozambique.

Senegal will host the 2026 CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations that will feature eight teams from November 7-15.

The competition will also double as the African qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, with qualification granted to both finalists.

Tanzania Premier League side Singida Black Stars FC have defeated hosts Tusker FC 1-0 in the first leg second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The two sides had several missed scoring opportunities in the first half at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday in Nairobi.

After recess Jeancy Mboma scored for the visitors to send the local fans silent. Tusker FC tries to fight back, but failed to find the goals.

On Saturday another Tanzanian side Azam FC also picked a vital 1-1 draw away to Egypt’s ZED FC in a match played at the Cairo International Stadium.

Mahmoud Nabil gave the hosts the lead at the stroke of half time, while Lusajon Elukaya Mwaikenda leveled matters for coach Florent Ibenge’s side.

Ethiopia’s Welwalo Adigrat FC also suffered a 4-0 home defeat to Al Ahli Tripoli, while Rayon Sports FC (Rwanda) fell 2-0 to Black Bulls FC at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

On Friday Uganda’s Kitara FC failed to maintain their lead against African giants Al Ahly (Egypt) losing 2-1 at the Hoima City Stadium.

Wahaab Qaddafi gave Kitara FC the lead after 30 minutes, but  Omar El Saaiy ‘Zizo’ netted a second half brace to make sure Africa’s most decorated Club walked away with a win.

The teams that win over two legs will qualify for the group stage of the TotaEnergies CAF Confederaton Cup.

Results for CECAFa Teams

Kitara FC 1 Al Ahly 2

ZED FC 1 Azam FC 1

Welwalo Adigrat 0 Al Ahli Tripoli 4

Rayon Sports FC 0 Black Bulls 2

Tusker FC 0 Singida Black Stars FC 1

Somalia have booked the second slot from the CECAFA Zone to qualify for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The 2022 CECAFA Zonal champions edged hosts Rwanda 5-4 in penalty shoot-outs after the second semi-final had ended 1-1 at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday.

After a goalless first half, substitute Patrick Ujeneza dribbled past two Somalian defenders and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Khalid Nor to give Rwanda the lead.

But 4 minutes later Somalia leveled matters with a Mohamud Osman strike after the Rwanda defenders failed to clear the ball out of danger.

In the penalty shoot-outs Somalia came out top 5-4 to qualify for the 2027 CAF U-17 AFCON to join Uganda who had already booked a ticket.

“I am so happy that my players remained focused and came from behind to score and later win in penalties. We now go and prepare for the final against a strong Uganda team,” said the Somalia coach Dadir Ami Ali.

Rwanda will now face Ethiopia in the play-off on October 19^th with another opportunity to book the third slot for the CAF U-17 AFCON.