Hosts Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi all made impressive starts to their TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON CECAFA Qualifier campaigns with convincing victories in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday.
There were 16 goals across the three opening-day fixtures at the newly renovated Uhuru Stadium, with Burundi recording the biggest victory as they defeated South Sudan 4-0, Uganda easing past Djibouti 4-1 and defending zonal champions Tanzania seeing off Rwanda 3-0.
Uganda got the tournament under way in style as Isima Magala struck twice in their Group B victory over Djibouti.
Magala needed only five minutes to open the scoring, though Djibouti responded through Ishak Tahir midway through the first half.
Genesis Ocen Odiya restored Uganda’s advantage on the stroke of halftime before captain Richard Okello extended the lead after the interval and Magala completed his brace to seal an emphatic victory.
Uganda coach Laryea Kingston was pleased with the three points but insisted his side would remain focused on the task ahead.
“We take every match as it comes and work hard to get a win,” Kingston said.
Burundi were equally impressive in Group C as braces from Amini Nshimirimana and Sympathque Majidi powered them to a 4-0 victory over South Sudan.
Nshimirimana scored twice in the first half to put Burundi firmly in control before a weather interruption delayed proceedings for close to half an hour after the break.
Majidi then added two further goals as Burundi completed an excellent opening-day performance.
“I am very happy with the big win because it gives us a perfect start in the tournament,” Burundi coach Jean De Dieu Rukundo said.
Hosts Tanzania rounded off the day with another commanding display as they defeated Rwanda 3-0 in Group A.
The Ngorongoro Heroes, who won the previous CECAFA U-20 qualifier in 2024, did all their scoring in the first half through Faraji Kayanda, Juma Abushiri and Evastus Lukanima.
Rwanda improved after the interval following changes from coach Andre Mbungo Casa, but could not find a way back into the contest.
Tanzania coach Maria Rivera Campesino believes there is still more to come from his side despite the comfortable margin.
“We have started with a win and we could win with a bigger margin in other matches because we keep creating many scoring chances,” he said.
The nine-team qualifier is divided into three groups of three. The three pool winners and the best runner-up will advance to the semifinals, with the two finalists earning the CECAFA region’s places at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Ghana 2027.
Action resumes on Thursday when Rwanda face Ethiopia in Group A, Djibouti meet Sudan in Group B and Burundi take on Kenya in Group C.
SOURCE: CAF ONLINE
