Sudan defeat Tanzania on penalties to claim historic CECAFA U-20 title

Sudan were crowned CECAFA Under-20 champions for the first time after defeating hosts Tanzania 4-3 on penalties following a dramatic 1-1 draw in Thursday's final at the Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The Sudanese youngsters held their nerve in the shootout after Tanzania had forced a late equaliser in extra time, denying the Ngorongoro Heroes a second successive regional title.

Both teams had already secured qualification for the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations Ghana 2027 through their semi-final victories, but there was still considerable pride at stake in the regional decider.

Tanzania entered the final having won all three of their previous matches without conceding a goal, scoring nine times in victories over Rwanda, Ethiopia and Burundi.

However, they found Sudan a much more difficult proposition in a closely contested first half.

Juma Abushiri forced Sudan goalkeeper Mustafa Fahoud into a fine save from a free-kick, while Juma Sagwe also tested the goalkeeper with a powerful effort.

The hosts continued to threaten after the interval, but Fahoud produced further important saves to deny Farid Mzalendo and keep the match goalless after 90 minutes.

Sudan finally broke the deadlock just three minutes into extra time when substitute Omer Hamdi converted following a free-kick that had initially been blocked.

Tanzania responded by throwing players forward and were rewarded in the 113th minute when substitute Abdulnasir Abdallah, known as Casemiro, turned home a pass from Mzalendo to bring the home crowd to their feet.

Neither side could find a winner, leaving the destination of the trophy to be decided from the penalty spot.

Tanzania converted their opening two penalties, but misses from Bashiri Kibaila and Faraji Kayanda proved costly. Humaida Ahmed stepped up to convert Sudan's decisive kick and secure a historic first regional title.

It was a remarkable conclusion to Sudan's campaign after they had advanced from Group B as the best runners-up, having lost 1-0 to Uganda in the group stage.

They avenged that defeat with a thrilling 3-2 semi-final victory over the Ugandans before overcoming the defending champions in Thursday's decider.

Uganda claimed the bronze medal earlier in the day with a 2-0 victory over Burundi at the same venue.

Derrick Ssozi opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when he converted a low cross from Elvis Opakrwoth, rewarding an energetic start from the Hippos.

Burundi threatened an equaliser, with captain Amini Nshimirimana among those to go close, but Uganda goalkeeper Adrian Isabirye kept them at bay.

Substitute Ashraf Kyakuwa eventually sealed the victory late in the contest after being set up by Steven Oyirwoth, ensuring Uganda finished the competition in third place.

The tournament concludes with Sudan and Tanzania claiming CECAFA's two qualifying places at next year's continental finals in Ghana.