Tanzania Defeats Djibouti 7-0 in U-20 AFCON Qualifiers
Hosts Tanzania dominated Djibouti with a 7-0 victory in the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers, recovering from an earlier loss to Kenya. Valentino Mashaka led with a hat-trick, while Sabri Kondo scored twice. Sudan also maintained their perfect record with a 1-0 win over Rwanda. Uganda secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against Ethiopia in Group B action. The tournament is a critical platform for showcasing young football talent in the region.
In their second Group A match of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Qualifiers, hosts Tanzania achieved a decisive 7-0 victory over Djibouti. This performance marked a strong recovery for the Tanzanian team following their opening match loss to Kenya. Valentino Mashaka led the charge with a brilliant second-half hat-trick, supported by two goals from Sabri Kondo, along with contributions from Jammy Jammy and Nickson Mosha. Following the match, Tanzanian head coach Charle Boniface Mkwasa expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance and emphasized the need for continued improvement in the subsequent matches. In another Group A encounter, Sudan secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Rwanda, maintaining their unbeaten status in the competition. A goal from Monzer Abdo Khamies Tiya within the first six minutes ensured Sudan retained their winning momentum, despite several missed opportunities from both teams. Rwanda’s coach Eric Nsimiyimana acknowledged his team’s effort although they faced challenges in converting scoring chances and defending mistakes. In separate action within Group B, Uganda’s U-20 team comfortably defeated Ethiopia 3-0, highlighting their strong start in the tournament. Coach Matia Lule expressed his contentment with the performance while indicating that further focus is required for future matches. The day’s earlier match saw Burundi edge past South Sudan with a 1-0 victory, courtesy of Christophe Ndayikengurukiye’s early goal.
The TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Qualifiers is a crucial competition for emerging African football nations, providing a stage for young talents to showcase their skills and compete for a place in the continental tournament. This edition is being held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and features teams from across the region competing in group stages. The tournament format includes separate groups, with teams vying to secure qualification for the AFCON U-20 finals. The performance in these qualifiers is vital for teams aiming to develop their football programs and enhance their visibility on the international stage. The matches are highly competitive, reflecting the rich football culture in the East African region.
The recent match results underscore the competitive spirit and emerging talents present in the CECAFA U-20 Qualifiers. Tanzania’s emphatic win over Djibouti serves as a reminder of their potential as hosts, while Sudan and Uganda solidify their standings with valuable victories in their respective groups. The tournament continues to provide important opportunities for youth development in African football, with teams focused on honing their skills and strategies ahead of future competitions.
Original Source: cecafaonline.com
