SUDAN: NATIONAL U-17 football team Head Coach Aggrey Moriss has expressed confidence that his squad is in top condition ahead of the regional tournament, ahead of the opening match against Sudan in the CECAFA Zone qualifiers for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2026.
The Serengeti Boys are drawn in Group B alongside Uganda, Djibouti, Sudan and Burundi. Group A includes Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, South Sudan and Rwanda.
Moriss told reporters that his players are well prepared for the campaign, noting that the team arrived safely in Ethiopia and is adapting well to the local weather.
“I am grateful that my players are in good shape and their morale is very high. Hopefully, everything will go as planned. Adapting to Ethiopia’s weather has been straightforward, so we are ready for the challenge,” he said.
The top two teams from each group will progress to the semifinals, with the finalists booking their places in the U-17 AFCON 2026 finals.
Tanzania narrowly missed out on the CECAFA U-17 title last year, finishing as runnersup after a 2-1 loss to Uganda in the final at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo War Memorial Grounds. The young side had taken an early lead before Uganda mounted a comeback to seal the win.
Moriss hailed the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) for its work in developing youth football.
“The federation is doing a great job with these young players. Everything has been well-organised. The boys are benefiting from a system that is building a bright future for Tanzanian football,” he said.