Hosts Rwanda advance to semi final stage of U-17 AFCON qualifiers

The hosts Rwanda have advanced to the semi-final stage at the on-going 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers    

After winning their opening match 1-0 against South Sudan, Rwanda defeated Sudan 2-0 in their second Group A match played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Wednesday night. Pacifique Bahati curved in a free kick after 44 minutes to put Rwanda ahead in-front of their passionate home fans. In the second half the Sudan team defended in numbers, but substitute Valentin Tuyizere netted the second goal with a well taken loop.

The win sees Rwanda top Group A with 6 points and now qualify to face Somalia in the semi-final stage on Saturday. Somalia defeated Kenya 2-0 in an earlier Group C match. Mohamud Osman and Abdullahi Hashi scored for the Somalian team.

The win saw Somalia finish equal with 4 points and with the same number of points and goals scored and conceded as Tanzania. But Somalia advanced as Group C leaders after a toss was conducted by the CECAFA competitions committee as per the CAF regulations of the qualifiers.

In an earlier Group B match Uganda and Ethiopia settled for a 1-1 draw. After a goalless first half, Ethiopia took the lead after 71 minutes through Zemichael Minyahel. But Uganda leveled matters six minutes later through Arnold Kayemba. Uganda qualified as leaders of Group B with 4 goals and a better goal difference than Ethiopia. The Ethiopian side also advanced as the second best team among all the three groups.

Uganda will now face Ethiopia in the first semi-final match, while Rwanda will face Somalia in th second semi fial clash, all to be played on October 17th at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

The finalists and the team that wins the play-off will automatically qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Rwanda     2    2     0    0     3    0    3     6

S.Sudan     2    1     0    1     3    3    0     3

Sudan        2     0    0    2      2   5    -3    0

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Uganda     2    1     1    0     9    1    8     4

Ethiopia    2    1     1    0     4    1    3     4

Burundi     2    0     0    2    0    11  -11  0

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Somalia      2    1     1    0    3     1    2     4

Tanzania    2    1     1    0     3    1    2     4

Kenya         2     0     0    2    0    4   -4     0

NB: After teams tied on points and goals, Somalia wins the toss and finish top of the group.