Uganda and Tanzania have secured qualification to represent the CECAFA Zone at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, set to take place in Morocco.
Both teams clinched their spots after convincing semi-final victories at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala on Tuesday.
Tanzania dominated their semi-final encounter against South Sudan with a 4-0 win. Hussein Mbegu, Ng’habi Zamu, and Abel Josiah Samson gave Tanzania a commanding 3-0 lead before halftime. Substitute Juma Abushiri added the fourth goal early in the second half. South Sudan missed a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit when Lazarus Peter George Laku’s penalty was saved by Tanzanian goalkeeper Abrahman Massoro.
Tanzania’s head coach, Aggrey Morris Ambros, praised his team for their hard work. “I thank my team for the work well done,” he said.
Later, hosts Uganda delighted home fans with a commanding 4-1 victory over Somalia. After a series of missed opportunities, Abubakali Walusimbi broke the deadlock just before halftime. James Bogere extended Uganda’s lead in the second half, but Somalia’s Ibrahim Osman pulled one back in the 70th minute.
Despite Somalia’s efforts, the Uganda Cubs proved unstoppable. Bogere added two late goals in stoppage time, completing his hat-trick and taking his tournament tally to six goals.
Coach Brian Ssenyondo of Uganda expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance. “I am delighted that the boys have worked hard and qualified for the U-17 AFCON and also reached the final. We now need to go back to the drawing board and plan for the final against Tanzania,” he said.
The CECAFA Zone final between Uganda and Tanzania, along with the third-place playoff between South Sudan and Somalia, is scheduled for December 27, 2024. Both finalists will aim to finish their campaign on a high note as they prepare for the continental tournament in Morocco.
