Rwanda has been drawn to face Tanzania in the qualifiers for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U-20 CECAFA tournament. The draw, conducted by CECAFA Competitions Manager Yusuf Mossi on Thursday at the Azam TV studio in Dar es Salaam, placed Rwanda in Group A alongside hosts Tanzania, Sudan, Djibouti, and Kenya.
Rwanda’s campaign will kick off on October 8th against Sudan, followed by a match against Kenya on October 10th. They will then face Tanzania on October 13th and conclude the group stage against Djibouti on October 15th.
Defending champions Uganda, who claimed the title in 2022 in Khartoum, have been placed in Group B with South Sudan, Burundi, and Ethiopia. Interestingly, Uganda and South Sudan, finalists in the previous tournament, find themselves in the same group this year.
CECAFA Competitions Manager Yusuf Mossi
The zonal qualifiers will take place from October 6th to 20th, 2024, at three venues: Azam Complex, KMC Stadium, and Major General Isamuhyo Stadium, all in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Mossi explained that the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the finalists earning qualification to represent the CECAFA region at the AFCON U-20 tournament next year.
“We anticipate a very competitive and exciting tournament in Tanzania,” Mossi added.
Group A: Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda, Djibouti, Kenya
Group B: Uganda, South Sudan, Burundi, Ethiopia