AFCON U20 CECAFA Qualifiers: Hosts Tanzania see off Rwanda as Burundi ease past South Sudan
Matchday One of the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers (CECAFA Region) witnessed teams show early intentions. Hosts Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi set the tone, winning their respective opening games on Tuesday.
Tanzania overcame Rwanda, winning 3-0 in the last game of the opening day of the qualifiers. Faraji Kayanda, Juma Aushiri and Evastus Lukanima netted first half goals for the Ngorongoro Boys.
It should be noted that Tanzania won their regional qualifiers in 2024 thus qualifying to the final tournament alongside Uganda.
Tanzania therefore lead Group A and will wrap up group business against Ethiopia.
In Group C, Burundi made light work of South Sudan, cruising to a comfortable 4-0 win. Amini Nshimirimana and Sympathque Majidi scored a brace each.
Earlier in the day, Uganda had defeated Djibouti 4-1 to take early charge of Group B.
It should be noted that this year’s tournament has nine teams, divided into three groups of three teams each.
Table leaders in each of the group automatically qualify to the semifinals while the best second placed team across the three groups gets the final semifinal slot.
The two finalists eventually earn the tickets to represent the region at the final tournament.