Rwanda beat Ethiopia 2-1 in the semi-finals at Pele Stadium
Rwanda’s Junior Wasps have qualified for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 16 years, becoming the third team from the CECAFA Zone to secure a place in the tournament.
Rwanda made a strong start, taking the lead in the fifth minute when Heylen Jayden Shema found the net with a fine strike from outside the box.
Ethiopia came close to equalising eight minutes later, but goalkeeper Emmanuel Nsengiyumva kept out Abdisa Gutema Dachesa’s effort.
Rwanda doubled their lead in the 16th minute. Isaac Ndizeye rose to meet a corner and headed home to put the hosts in control.
Ethiopia continued to press and were rewarded three minutes before half-time when Akrem Abduselam Jemal scored from close range, giving his side a lifeline.
The game remained open after the break, with both teams creating chances, but neither could find another goal. Rwanda held on to win 2-1 and secure their place at the continental finals. On the final whistle, players and head coach Jimmy Mulisa celebrated alongside the fans at Pele Stadium.
Under former Rwanda international Jimmy Mulisa, the hosts join Uganda and Somalia as the three CECAFA representatives at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
It will be Rwanda’s second appearance at the tournament. They first competed in 2011, when they hosted the finals and reached the final, losing 2-1 to Burkina Faso.
In the other match, Uganda beat Somalia 6-5 in penalties to lift the regional U-17 title after a goalless draw in the full 90 minutes. All three teams book a ticket to 2017 AFCON U-17 finals.
Uganda dominated the individual awards at the 2026 CECAFA U-17 Championship, with David Ssegirinya named Best Goalkeeper, Arnold Kayemba finishing as Top Scorer and Henry Muhoozi taking home the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
FilesThe 2027 youth AFCON U-17 tournament will be played in Morocco.
