Africa-Press – Tanzania. Tanzania are the winners of the CECAFA Zonal qualifiers of the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2026.
It was sweet revenge as Tanzania defeated Uganda 3-2 in the final played on Tuesday at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Last year Uganda defeated Tanzania 2-1 in the final, while this year, Coach Elieneza Nicolaus Nsanganzelu’s team stopped the Cubs 1-0 in the group stage and in the final 3-2.
Razaki Mbegelendi gave Tanzania the lead after only 6 minutes after Shakur Ngobi’s back-pass had been intercepted. Mbegelendi made no mistake shooting past Uganda’s goalkeeper Ashraf Lukyamuzi. Thomas Ogena restored matters for Uganda making it 1-1 after 13 minutes with a close range finish past the Tanzanian goalkeeper Haji Abdallah.
Another defensive mix-up gave Tanzania space to score the second goal after 30 minutes with Mbegelendi pouncing and finishing in style. At the stroke of half time Luqman Mbalasalu netted Tanzania’s third goal.
After the interval Uganda tries to change their style of play and attacked in numbers. Fahad Ismail missed a penalty for Uganda after 56 minutes. Tanzania’s goalkeeper Abdallah stopped the penalty.
The two sides continued to attack on either side and Uganda netted their second goal through Brian Olwa in added time. It was all celebration after the final whistle as the Tanzanian team and the technical bench celebrated on the pitch.
“This is a very sweet win and the players have worked hard to finish the tournament with six wins,” said Tanzania’s coach Elieneza Nicolaus Nsanganzelu after the match
In the earlier play-off match hosts Ethiopia defeated Kenya 3-0 to book a place in the AFCON U-17 tournament next year to be held in Moroco. Dawit Kassaw, Biyam Abrha and Biruk Eyilachew scored for the hosts.
The final was graced by the Acting CECAFA President, Alenxandre Muyenge, also President of the Burundi Football Federation, Wallace Karia (Tanzania Football Federation President and CAF Exco Member), Isayas Jira (Ethiopia Football Federation President and CAF Exco-Member), Issa Magoola (Executive Member of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations), the Tanzania Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, and the CECAFA Interim Executive Officer Jean Sseninde.
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