The final countdown has officially begun for the 2026 CECAFA U20 Championship as regional youth powerhouses descend upon Dar es Salaam.
With the tournament serving as the direct zonal qualifying pathway to the 2027 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ghana, the stakes could not be higher for East Africa’s rising talent.
Kenya’s U20 national team, the Rising Stars, became one of the latest contingents to touch down in Tanzania.
Head coach Gilbert Selebwa and his final squad officially departed Nairobi on Sunday. Despite an intense and relatively short preparation window, the Kenyan technical bench has made it clear that their single, unwavering objective is to secure one of the two available continental tickets.
The ten-day regional tournament officially kicks off on Tuesday, September 15, at the newly renovated Uhuru Stadium, which will host all the action.
For Ugandan football fans, the Uganda Hippos will be center stage right from the opening whistle.
The Hippos, widely regarded as a dominant blueprint for youth development in the CECAFA zone, launch their campaign on September 15 against Djibouti.
Starting strong is absolutely paramount under this year’s ruthless tournament format; only the three group winners and the single best runner-up across all pools will progress into the semi-finals.
While Uganda faces their opening test on Tuesday, Kenya’s Rising Stars will have a brief window to adjust to the coastal humidity of Dar es Salaam.
The Kenyans will officially start their campaign on Thursday, September 17 at 8:00 PM EAT against Burundi.
They will then navigate a swift, 48-hour turnaround to battle a highly physical South Sudan side on Saturday, September 19 at 2:00 PM EAT.
With the squads locked in and the continental qualifiers finally here, East Africa is ready to witness its next generation of football icons fight for a place on the grand stage.
