CAF Africa Schools Football Championship CECAFA Qualifiers Draws Held Ahead of Thursday Kick-Off

The draws for the 2026 CAF Africa Schools Football Championship CECAFA Qualifiers were held on Wednesday evening at FAWE Girls School in Kigali, Rwanda, setting the stage for three days of action in the regional championship.

The draw was conducted by CECAFA Competitions Director Yusuf Mossi, with eight countries set to compete in both the boys’ and girls’ categories.

The championship kicks off today, Thursday, September 3, and will run until Saturday, September 5, 2026.

Kigali Pele Stadium will serve as the main venue for the championship, while the Rwanda Football Federation facilities will host the girls’ matches during the first two days. The girls’ third-place playoff and final will then be played at Kigali Pele Stadium on the final day.

In the boys’ category, defending champions Uganda were drawn in Group B alongside Somalia, South Sudan and Burundi.

Hosts Rwanda headline Group A, where they will face Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania, the 2025 runners-up and two-time continental champions.

In the girls’ category, hosts Rwanda were drawn in Group A alongside Burundi, South Sudan and defending champions Uganda.

Defending girls’ champions Tanzania were placed in Group B alongside Sudan, Kenya and Somalia.

Boys

Group A

• Rwanda
• Kenya
• Sudan
• Tanzania

Group B

• Uganda
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Burundi

Girls

Group A

• Rwanda
• Burundi
• South Sudan
• Uganda

Group B

• Tanzania
• Sudan
• Kenya
• Somalia

Beyond the action on the pitch, the CAF Africa Schools Football Championship CECAFA Qualifiers will also provide an important platform for football development through capacity-building programmes.

The championship will feature training opportunities in areas including coaching, medical services and young reporters, among other programmes. These initiatives will give local participants an opportunity to gain knowledge and practical skills while contributing to the development of football in the region.

With the groups now confirmed, attention turns to the pitch as the next generation of East African football talent begins its quest for regional honours and a place in the continental championship.