Rwanda’s hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Under-20 tournament have ended after the national U-20 team drew 0-0 with Ethiopia in the CECAFA qualifiers in Tanzania.
Rwanda completed its Group A campaign on Thursday, September 17, with one point from two matches. The team opened its campaign with a 3-0 defeat to Tanzania before drawing 0-0 with Ethiopia.
The result left Rwanda third in Group A with one point and a goal difference of -3. Tanzania have three points, while Ethiopia also have one point but a better goal difference.
Rwanda eliminated from the qualifiers
The CECAFA U-20 tournament features nine teams divided into three groups of three. The three group winners and the best second-placed team advance to the semi-finals.
The two finalists will qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Under-20 tournament.
Having completed both of their group matches, Rwanda can no longer qualify for the semi-finals.
Even if Rwanda were to finish second in Group A, the team would not have enough points to be the best second-placed side. In Group B, two teams already have three points after playing one match each, meaning the team that finishes second in that group will have more points than Rwanda.
In Group C, Burundi have already secured a semi-final place after winning both of their matches. Kenya and South Sudan, who are yet to earn a point, still have one match remaining, meaning one of them could also finish above Rwanda in the race for the best second-placed position.
For Rwanda to finish second in Group A, Tanzania would have to beat Ethiopia by more than three goals in the final group match. However, that would not be enough to change Rwanda’s position in the overall qualification race.
The result brings an early end to Rwanda’s campaign under head coach André Cassa Mbungo, with the team failing to score in either of its two matches.
The remaining group-stage matches will be played on Saturday, September 19. Kenya will face South Sudan, Sudan will take on Uganda, while Ethiopia will play Tanzania at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
