Hosts Uganda, Ethiopia crowned CECAFA champions in CAF African Schools Championship

Hosts Uganda and Ethiopia claimed top honours in the CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA qualifiers over the weekend.

Uganda overcame 2024 winners Tanzania in the semi finals before edging Ethiopia 3–2 ,on penalties, in the boys’ final after a goalless draw at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende.

Tanzania secured bronze with a 2–0 victory over Burundi in the third-place play-off.

In the Girls’ category, Tanzania and Ethiopia played out a goalless draw before Ethiopia, led by goalkeeper Lukia Seleman, prevailed 5–4 in the shootout.

“We are very happy that after losing the final last year, we have managed to win the trophy this time,” said an excited Seleman, who was also voted Best Goalkeeper in the girls’ category.

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Uganda beat Burundi 2–0 to take bronze in the girls’ event, earning a cash prize of 50,000 US dollars (Kshs 6.4 million).

Kenya’s disappointing run at the CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA regional qualifiers in Uganda ended ,with both the U15 boys and girls teams exiting the tournament at the group stage.

The boys endured a tough start, losing 7–0 to hosts Uganda, before narrowly going down 2–1 to Burundi.

Their only win came in the final group match, a 3–0 victory over Djibouti, which saw them finish third in Group A with three points.

The girls posted a more balanced campaign. They opened with a goalless draw against Rwanda, then suffered a 2–0 defeat to Burundi before closing their tournament with a 1–1 draw against Uganda.

They also placed third in Group A, collecting two points.

CECAFA Acting President Alexandre Muyenge described the level of competition as impressive.

“We are happy that eight nations participated in the Championship and we are hopeful our winners will represent the Zone well at continental level next year,” stated Muyenge.

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Awards were presented by CECAFA Acting President Alexandre Muyenge, CECAFA Vice President and Eritrea FA President Weldehaimanot Andemariam, CECAFA Executive Member Petra Doris Atieno, FUFA First Vice President Justus Mugisha, and TotalEnergies Strategy and New Energies Manager Carol Katungi.

Awards

Fair play award

Boys: Burundi

Girls: Uganda

Best goalkeeper

Ramadhan Ngendabanyikwa, Boys (Burundi)

Lukia Seleman, Girls (Tanzania)

Top scorer

Boys: Nabil Kajumba (Uganda)

Girls: Hajra Mawanja (Tanzania)

Best player

Boys: Henry Muhoozi (Uganda)

Girls: Lydia Namaseruka (Uganda)

Bronze Medal Winners

Boys: Tanzania

Girls: Uganda

Silver Medal Winners

Boys: Ethiopia

Girls: Ethiopia

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