Rwanda will face Tanzania and Ethiopia in Group A of the CECAFA qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Under-20 tournament.
The draw was held on Monday, August 31, at Kigali Pele Stadium, determining the groups for the regional competition that will produce two teams to represent CECAFA at the continental tournament.
Group B features Uganda, Sudan and Djibouti, while Group C comprises South Sudan, Kenya and Burundi.
The qualifiers will bring together nine teams from the CECAFA region and will be played in Tanzania from September 15 to 25, 2026.
The matches will be hosted at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam.
According to CECAFA competitions official Yusuf Mossi, the three group winners will qualify directly for the semi-finals. The fourth semi-finalist will be the best-performing team among the three runners-up.
The four semi-finalists will then compete for the two available qualification places to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations U-20.
Eritrea and Somalia are the only CECAFA member nations that will not participate in this year’s qualifiers. Tanzania hosted the previous edition of the regional competition in 2024.
The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations U-20 will be hosted by Ghana and will feature 12 teams.
Ghana, Nigeria and Burkina Faso have already secured qualification, with Ghana earning an automatic place as hosts.
Rwanda will now prepare for its Group A campaign, with Tanzania and Ethiopia standing between the young Amavubi and a place in the regional semi-finals.
