Ethiopia eliminated Uganda Crested Cranes on penalties after a thrilling 5-4 shootout in the WAFCON 2026 qualifiers, following two goals in regular time that leveled the aggregate score. Uganda had earlier won the first leg 2-0. Other notable results include Tanzania’s 3-1 win over Equatorial Guinea, while South Sudan exited the qualifiers after a 5-0 loss to Algeria. The qualifiers will continue with further matches scheduled this week.
Ethiopia advanced past Uganda Crested Cranes in the first round of the WAFCON 2026 qualifiers with a 5-4 victory via penalties. After a 2-0 loss in the first leg, Ethiopia fought hard to equalize, scoring two goals in Addis Ababa, thanks to Aregash Kalsa and Etsegenet Girma. Despite missing a penalty, they secured their spot in the next round. Ethiopia will now face the winner of the match between Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea.
On the other hand, Uganda secured a 2-0 lead in the first leg, showcasing better performance with goals from Zaina Namuleme and Fazila Ikwaput. The match saw Uganda dominate the first half, culminating in a strong second half where they managed to score twice, leading to their win on home turf. In matches involving other teams, South Sudan was eliminated after a significant defeat, while Rwanda performed better but could not change the overall outcome against Egypt.
In contrast, Tanzania’s coach Bakari Shime expressed satisfaction with his players after their impressive 3-1 win against Equatorial Guinea. Despite trailing at half-time, the team rebounded with a strong second-half showing. The action in the qualifiers continues with several other matches involving CECAFA Zone teams scheduled soon. The next matches include Uganda hosting Ethiopia and Rwanda facing Egypt, adding to the excitement of the ongoing qualifiers.
Ethiopia’s victory against Uganda marked a significant moment in the WAFCON 2026 qualifiers, demonstrating resilience and determination after an initial loss. Meanwhile, teams like Uganda and Tanzania displayed strong performances, adding to the competitive spirit of the qualifiers. The matches ahead promise to further showcase talent across the CECAFA Zone as teams vie for a spot in Morocco for the finals.
Original Source: cecafaonline.com
