Tanzania have qualified for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Ngorongoro Boys secured their place after humbling Burundi 2-0 in the second semi-final match of the CECAFA Zonal qualifiers played at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.
Juma Abushiri gave Tanzania the lead after 17 minutes after Burundi’s goalkeeper Omari Niyonkuru failed to punch away a curving ball off a corner kick. The Burundi team who won all their two matches in the group stage tried to push forward, but the Tanzanian defenders stood firm.
Tanzania increasing their lead after Faraji Kayanda got his name on the score sheet after 33 minutes when he tapped in from close range after a quick counter attack.
After recess, the Burundi team made a switch to their tactical approach and started creating more scoring opportunities. Tanzania’s goalkeeper Shabani Bakari made some good saves to deny Burundi any opportunity to find goals.
Tanzania now join Burundi in the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as representatives from the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Zone. The two teams will face-off on Thursday to decide who wins the regional title.
The regional qualifiers attracted nine teams; Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia, Burundi, South Sudan, Djibouti, Kenya and Rwanda.
