Rwanda and Tanzania have collected wins in their opening matches at the on-going 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
The Zonal reigning champions Tanzania defeated Kenya 2-0 in a Group C match, while Rwanda saw-off South Sudan 1-0 in a Group A match, all played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday.
Dismas Athanasi gave Tanzania the lead after 28 minutes, while Godfrey Somi made it 2-0 for Tanzania in the 57th minutes. The Kenyan team tried to fight back, but tactically failed against their opponents. Sultan Shamba, the Tanzania captain said they are happy winning the opening match against a tough opponent. “We now focus for the next match against Somalia,” added Shamba.
Kenya’s coach William Lukalia Muluya admitted that the Tanzanian team was way better than them tactically and controlled the game well. “We failed to play well against our opponents and now we must concentrate on the next match against Somalia so that we can pick a win,” added Muluya.
In the third match of the day Khalifa Shayaka netted the lone goal after 54 minutes to hand the hosts an opening win. Rwanda created several scoring opportunities, but failed to finish. Jimmy Mulisa, the Rwanda Coach said it was important to win the opening match so that the team gets good momentum.
“I am happy that we are playing well and creating several scoring opportunities. Let us go back ad work on finishing,” added the former International.
The first match of the day saw Uganda crush Burundi 8-0 in a Group B tie. Action returns on Monday with South Sudan facing Sudan in A tie, while Burundi take on Ethiopia in Group B, and Tanzania battle Somalia in Group C.
Group A
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Rwanda 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
Sudan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
S.Sudan 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
Group B
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Uganda 1 1 0 0 8 0 8 3
Ethiopia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Burundi 1 0 0 1 0 8 -8 0
Group C
P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Tanzania 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
Somalia 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Kenya 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0
