The first semifinal of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tournament for East Africa's CECAFA region saw Tanzania's Serengeti Boys deliver a masterclass, crushing South Sudan 4-0 to secure their spot in the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Hussein Mbegu headed Tanzania into the lead in the 16th minute from a well-delivered corner. Zamu Ng’habi doubled the advantage in the 32nd minute before Abel Samson made it 3-0 three minutes later, effectively sealing the game before halftime.
Substitute Juma Abushiri added a fourth with a sublime left-footed curler in the 50th minute.
South Sudan's best chance came from a penalty in the 66th minute but Tanzania's goalkeeper Abrahman Nassoro saved comfortably to preserve his clean sheet.
This result marks Tanzania’s return to the U-17 AFCON after a five-year absence.
The Serengeti Boys, who previously participated in 2017 and 2019 (as hosts) now await the final against Uganda, who dispatched defending champions Somalia in the second semifinal.
Uganda Cubs secured their place at the AFCON finals with a dominant 4-1 victory over Somalia at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.
Abubaker Walusimbi gave the Cubs a first-half lead with a well-timed strike in the 45th minute. Forward James Bogere then stole the show in the second half, scoring a sensational hat-trick in the 50th, 90+2, and 90+4 minutes. Somalia’s Ibrahim Osman managed a consolation goal in the 67th minute.
Under head coach Brian Ssenyondo, the Cubs’ qualification continues Uganda’s success in continental football. Uganda will now have two teams in Morocco, as the senior Uganda Cranes also qualified for the 2025 AFCON under coach Paul Put.
The U-17 AFCON will run from March 30 to April 19, 2025, while the senior AFCON is scheduled for December 2025.
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