Rwanda’s U17 national football team have qualified for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco for the first time in 15 years after finishing third at the ongoing CECAFA U17 Championship in Kigali.
The Amavubi youngsters secured their place in the continental tournament after defeating Ethiopia 2-1 at Kigali Pele Stadium on Monday, October 19, 2026.
Shema Heylen Jayden opened the scoring for Rwanda in the fifth minute before Ndizeye Isaac doubled the lead in the 16th minute. Ethiopia pulled one goal back through Akrem Abduselam Jemal but could not find an equaliser.
Rwanda had been relegated to the third-place playoff after losing to Somalia in the semi-finals. The match ended 1-1 before Somalia won 5-4 on penalties.
The semi-final, played on Saturday, October 17, also saw Somalia secure a place in the final against Uganda, with both teams earning qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Rwanda, coached by Jimmy Mulisa, will join Somalia and Uganda as the three teams representing the CECAFA region at the continental tournament, scheduled to take place between April and May 2027.
This will be Rwanda’s second appearance at the U17 Africa Cup of Nations. The team first competed in the tournament in 2011, when they reached the final but lost to Burkina Faso.
