St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende – The roar of the crowd confirmed it: Uganda U15 boys are the champions! The boys clinched the title at the CAF African Schools Football Championship (CECAFA Qualifiers 2025) after a thrilling finale against Ethiopia, capping a phenomenal tournament with ultimate glory.
The final was a tense, tactical masterpiece, resulting in a 0-0 draw at the end of regulation time.
The deadlock meant the CECAFA boys’ trophy would be decided by the lottery of the penalty shootout. With nerves of steel, the Ugandan boys converted their spot-kicks with clinical precision, winning 3-1 on penalties to send the home fans into raptures.
The victory not only crowns Uganda as the CECAFA champions but also secures their place as one of the three representatives heading to the continental finals.
The excitement continued in the third-place playoff, where Tanzania earned the final ticket to the continental stage. The Tanzanian boys put in a determined performance, beating Burundi 2-0 to join the finalists, Uganda and Ethiopia, as the three teams that will proudly represent the CECAFA region in the CAF African Schools Football Championship finals next year.
Development Rewarded with Financial Boost
The impressive showing by the top three nations was further celebrated with significant development grants aimed at bolstering school football programs:
Uganda (Champions): Awarded $100,000
Ethiopia (Runners-Up): Awarded $75,000
Tanzania (Third Place): Awarded $50,000.
This substantial financial support, designated for football development projects within the schools, ensures that the success achieved on the pitch will contribute to a lasting legacy for youth football across the region.
