Saturday Rwanda 3-1 Sudan Tanzania 2-1 Burundi Rwanda U17 football team got off to a bright start in CECAFA Region Qualifiers of the 2019 CAF U17 African Cup of Nations as they edged Sudan 3-1 on Saturday at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Rwanda, who dazzlingly dominated the proceedings, broke the deadlock in the 39th minute through Moise Nyarugabo before Rodrigue Isingizwe doubled the lead three minutes later. Sudan pulled one back through Mohamed Badr Abaker in the 71st minute but Yves Rwasamanzi’s youngsters proved they were not done yet as Jean Rene Ishimwe slotted in a third goal in injury time to complete the 3-1 routing. Rwanda is placed in a four-team Group A alongside the hosts Tanzania, Sudan and Burundi. The fifth member, Somalia, withdrew from the tournament at last minute. Somalia are the reigning champions of the CECAFA U17 Championship that took place in Burundi, in April this year where they edged Uganda in the final. In another Group A game on Saturday, Tanzania beat Burundi 2-1. Rwanda will be back in action Monday facing Burundi before wrapping up the group campaign against Tanzania on August 21. Alongside hosts, the winner of the tournament will represent the CECAFA region in the Africa U17 Cup of Nations, also set to be held in Tanzania in May 2019. The qualifiers of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations were modified early this year, with each of the six zones (North, Zone West A, Zone West B, Central Zone, Central East Zone, Southern Zone) playing at their backyard to produce the winners that will contest for the Cup next year. Tanzania has a direct ticket to the tournament by virtue of being the host nation. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
