U-17 AFCON (Q): Group draw announced for CECAFA qualifying

The U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (U-17 AFCON) CECAFA Zone qualifying tournament will be played in Ethiopia from November 15 to December 2. The group draw for the competition was announced earlier today in Kampala, Uganda, as ten nations are set to compete in the tournament.

The ten nations are grouped into two, with each group having five national sides. Hosts Ethiopia and reigning champions Uganda are the two top-seeded teams. One-time champions Somalia are drawn in Group A alongside Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, and Rwanda. The Ugandan Cubs will defend their crown in Group B as they are set to tackle 2024 runners-up Tanzania, Djibouti, Sudan, and Burundi. 2009 CECAFA U-17 Championship runners-up Eritrea are not taking part in the tournament.

Ethiopia will host the tournament at the Abebe Bikila Memorial Stadium in Addis Ababa and the Dire Dawa Stadium in Dire Dawa. The Dire Dawa Stadium has been granted permission to host category 2 games by CAF, but it is not clear whether the Abebe Bikila Stadium has been cleared to host such matches.

This is the second time Ethiopia is hosting the regional U-17 qualifying tournament, after previously hosting the 2022 edition. The competition serves as a gateway to the 2026 U-17 AFCON in Morocco.