Kenya's Junior Stars dimmed 3-1 by Tanzania in Cecafa U-17 semifinal

Tanzania are the first team from the CECAFA Zone to qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2026, after brushing off Kenya 3-1 in the first semi-final match played on Sunday at the ongoing CECAFA Zonal qualifiers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Overall, Tanzania dominated the William Muluya coached Kenyan in the match, deservedly winning to book a final berth, as Kenya's downward trajectory was once agin exposed. 

After only 10 minutes into the match, Kenya earned penalty after the Tanzanian goalkeeper Haji Ally Abdallah brought down Derrick Muchiti Obote in the box.

The Tanzanian goalkeeper made amends when he saved Saidi Makangila Derrick Muchiti Obote’s penalty sending the few fans cheering at the Abebe Bikila Stadium.

Tanzania, unbeaten in the group stage intensified their attack to take the lead after 19 minutes when defender Nhingo Juma Luzelenga headed past the Kenyan goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

After 30 minutes Luqman Ally Mbabasalu made it 2-0 for Tanzania when he capitalized on a neat pass to beat the Kenyan goalkeeper in a one on one situation.

In the second half the Kenyan team led by skipper Yusuf Ahmed Mohamed pushed forward in search for goals. After 84 minutes substitute Armstrong Omondi pulled a goal back for Kenya beating Tanzania’s goalkeeper Haji Ally Abdallah with a well taken strike from outside the box.

The Kenyan team tried mount more pressure to try and get more goals, but failed to break the Tanzanian defending department. Three minutes into added time substitute Soann Shabani scored Tanzania’s third goal.

It was all celebrations for the Tanzanian team when the referee Amro Alsayed Mohammed from Sudan ended the match.

“I am happy that our first mission which was to qualify for the AFCOn U-17 has been achieved. Now our next mission will be to win the trophy,” said a happy Tanzanian coach Elienza Nicolaus Nsanganzelu.

The second semi-final clash between hosts Ethiopia and 2024 champions Uganda will be played later Sunday at the same stadium.

The winners of the semi-final stage and the bronze medal winner automatically qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2026.