Ngorongoro Heroes eye U-20 AFCON slot

THE national Under-20 team ‘Ngorongoro Heroes’ coach, Boniface Mkwasa has expressed confidence in his team’s preparations for the upcoming Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA Qualifiers.

The tournament is set to take place from October 6th to 20th in Dar es Salaam and will feature nine teams, competing across three venues.

The venues are Azam Complex, KMC Complex and Major General Isamuhyo Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The two top teams from the tournament will secure their spots in the 2025 Under-20 AFCON final scheduled for next year.

Tanzania is placed in Group A alongside Sudan, Rwanda, Djibouti and Kenya, while Group B includes Uganda, South Sudan, Burundi and Ethiopia.

According to the tournament regulations, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, with the finalists earning automatic berths to the2025 AFCON finals.

Mkwasa acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting: “We are in a tough group, which requires us to undergo rigorous training to reach the semi-finals and ultimately the finals.

In football, anything is possible and good preparation is key to success.

So far, everything is progressing positively.”

He emphasised the importance of the home advantage, stating saying: “Since the qualifiers are being held in our country, we need to show our commitment by performing well in every match.

We respect all the teams in our group; they are competitive, but we also have a strong team that is not easy to beat.

The players are eager to achieve success in the upcoming qualifiers.”

Mkwasa also called on Tanzanians to support the team, saying that with full backing from home fans, they believe they can make a significant impact and qualify for the Under-20 AFCON finals.

He noted that the players are adapting well to the training and their potential is impressive.

Tanzania last qualified for the Under-20 AFCON in 2021, with the finals held in Mauritania.

The team was placed in Group C alongside Morocco, Gambia and Ghana, finishing at the bottom of the group with one point from three matches, including a 1-1 draw against Gambia.

ALSO READ: Stars held in AFCON opener

This year’s qualifiers present a crucial opportunity for Ngorongoro Heroes to make history by advancing to the AFCON finals and enhancing the country’s football reputation.

Meanwhile following the meeting of the CAF Executive Committee in Nairobi, Kenya held early this week, the CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe confirmed the dates of the Total Energies African Nations Championship (“CHAN”) 2024 final tournament.

The Total Energies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 will be played between 01 – 28 February 2025 and the first round of Qualifiers will be played on the weekend of 25-27 October 2024.

CHAN is scheduled to be hosted in East Africa. CAF will communicate in due course stadiums and other venues to be used for the competition