Africa-Press – Tanzania. SERENGETI Boys Head Coach Elieneza Nsanganzelu commended his players’ determination and discipline after Tanzania secured a spot in the semi-finals of the CECAFA Zone qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U-17 tournament.
The national junior side thrashed Burundi 5–0 on Monday, to seal their place in the last four, keep their regional title hopes alive and strengthen their chances of reaching the 2026 AFCON U-17 finals in Morocco.
In the semifinals, Tanzania will face Kenya, the Group A runner-up, while Uganda, the Group B runner-up, will take on Ethiopia, the Group A leader.
To qualify for AFCON finals, Tanzania must finish among the top three in the fourteam tournament semifinals, with the winner, runner-up, or second runner-up securing a spot at the 2026 AFCON U-17 finals.
After the Monday’s match Serengeti Boys’ Head Coach Nsanganzelu told reporters that the game was tougher than the 5–0 scoreline suggested.
He noted that his players had to work hard to break down a resilient Burundian side, particularly in the early stages.
“It hasn’t been easy, but we hit our group-stage target. Now our eyes are on the semi-finals. Our mission is clear: Qualify for AFCON and win this tournament. That’s the standard we are chasing,” he said.
The coach highlighted the importance of moving past the group stage as part of their goal to qualify for next year’s AFCON. He also noted the team’s improvement throughout the competition, while acknowledging there is room to be more efficient in attack.
Looking ahead to the semifinals, Nsanganzelu said his team is well prepared to face any opponent but emphasised the need for sharper finishing.
He added that the team’s ambitions go beyond reaching the last four. Their ultimate aim is to qualify for the AFCON U-17 finals and win the CECAFA regional title.
“These boys have grown through every match. Today wasn’t simple as Burundi pressed us, but we created our chances and stood strong. Even with five goals, we need to be sharper and more decisive in the final third as the tournament progresses,” he said.
For More News And Analysis About Tanzania Follow Africa-Press
