The Council of East and Central African Football Associations (CECAFA) U-23 Challenge Cup is nearing its conclusion in Bahir DarVenue·Bahir Dar, EthiopiaTeam·Ethiopia, with the semi-finalists determined and the competition's intensity rising. The tournament, which commenced on July 17 and is set to conclude on August 1, 2026, has showcased emerging talent from across the region.
The draw for the competition, initially planned for June 25th and later July 13th, was ultimately conducted via Zoom, as confirmed by CECAFA Executive Director Auka Gacheo. Nine nations—Uganda, EritreaTeam·Eritrea, Burundi, hosts EthiopiaTeam·Ethiopia, Djibouti, South SudanTeam·South Sudan, Kenya, TanzaniaTeam·Tanzania, and guest side DR CongoTeam·DR Congo—confirmed their participation, with all CECAFA member associations committing US$20,000 each to enter their teams. This financial commitment underscores the significance placed on the tournament as a platform for youth development.
In the group stages, Kenya U23 demonstrated strong form, topping Group C with a perfect record of six points from two victories, scoring five goals and conceding none. They secured a 3-0 win against Djibouti and a 2-0 triumph over South SudanTeam·South Sudan. South SudanTeam·South Sudan U23 finished second in the group with three points, while Djibouti U23 exited without a point.
Group B saw Burundi take an early lead after a commanding 3-0 victory over EritreaTeam·Eritrea. Hosts EthiopiaTeam·Ethiopia, after drawing 3-3 with EritreaTeam·Eritrea in their opening fixture, faced a crucial final Pool B match against Burundi, needing a win to advance to the knockout stage.
The knockout stage has set up compelling semi-final encounters. TanzaniaTeam·Tanzania is slated to face South SudanTeam·South Sudan, while Burundi will challenge Kenya's Emerging Stars. Beyond the main semi-finals, EritreaTeam·Eritrea and Uganda qualified for a 5th/6th place classification match. EritreaTeam·Eritrea advanced after defeating hosts EthiopiaTeam·Ethiopia 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw, and Uganda secured their spot with a 1-0 victory over guest side DR CongoTeam·DR Congo.
Individual performances have also captured attention, with Kenya's Paul Reagan Otieno and EritreaTeam·Eritrea's Ali Suleiman Ibrahim leading the scoring charts, each having netted three goals. EthiopiaTeam·Ethiopia's Abubeker Nasir AhmedPlayer·Abubeker Nasir Ahmed has also made a notable contribution with two goals.
Coaches have emphasized the competitive nature of the tournament. Ethiopian coach Wubetu Abate highlighted the importance of their group stage match against Burundi, stating, "I have told my players to go and give 100%. We need to be effective at the front and also be cautious in defending because Burundi will not be an easy team." Burundi's coach Jimmy NdayizeyeCoach·Jimmy Ndayizeye acknowledged the challenge of facing the home team, noting, "We know what to expect because EthiopiaTeam·Ethiopia play a highly passing game and we must employ a strategy that will stop them."
Kenya's forward Paul Reagan Otieno expressed his determination following his team's progression: "I am glad we have won two games and now booked a place in the semi-finals. I will keep working hard to make sure I score more goals that can help the team get to the later stages of this tournament and may be win the trophy."
The CECAFA U-23 Challenge Cup serves as a vital platform for nurturing young talent, providing invaluable experience for players aspiring to reach senior national teams. As a CECAFA official stated, "The U-23 Challenge Cup is a vital platform for our young players to showcase their abilities and gain invaluable experience." The tournament continues to be a crucial stepping stone, shaping the future of football in the East and Central African region.
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