TANZANIA’S U17 team has been placed in Group A alongside Kenya and Uganda in a redraw conducted yesterday for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA U17 qualifiers, a group widely regarded as the "group of death."

The tournament is scheduled to take place in Uganda from December 14 to 28, 2024, offering a critical platform for young players to showcase their skills while vying for a spot in the AFCON U17 finals set for 2025.

The tournament will be hosted in three Ugandan cities: Bukedea, Mbale, and Kampala. These venues were selected for their footballing infrastructure and readiness to host matches of this caliber.

The redraw became necessary after Ethiopia and Burundi withdrew from the AFCON qualifiers. Initially drawn in Group A with Tanzania and Uganda, their exit left the group with only two teams. 

Tanzania’s national U17 team has already arrived in Uganda, where they conducted their first training session at Nakivubo Stadium ahead of the competition.

CECAFA subsequently announced a redraw to ensure that both groups had three teams each, with Tanzania now in a group they were hoping to avoid. 

In the initial draw, Kenya had been set to face Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan - a group considered relatively easier.

Now, Tanzania will face two strong sides, with the top two teams from the group advancing to the semifinals. The finalists will qualify for next year’s U17 AFCON. Group B comprises Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan.

The Serengeti Boys, under the leadership of head coach Aggrey Morris and assistant coach Boniface Pawasa, are training intensively to ensure they are fully equipped for the challenge ahead. 

The AFCON U17 qualifiers represent more than just a football competition for Tanzania; they are a stepping stone for developing young talent, providing a vital foundation for the country’s footballing future.

Previously, the Serengeti Boys' head coach expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress, praising the players’ hard work and their understanding of the tournament’s importance.

“We’re working tirelessly to assemble a formidable team for the AFCON U17 qualifiers. The players are incredibly motivated and eager to secure a victory. Our ultimate objective is to qualify for the AFCON U17 finals, and we’re dedicated to doing whatever it takes to make that happen,” said the gaffer.

Additionally, ahead of the tournament, Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Director, stated that stringent measures have been put in place to ensure fair play and compliance with the competition’s age eligibility rules. 

Mossi said all teams participating are required to carry out Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests for the players before traveling to Uganda for the tournament. 

Upon arrival in Uganda, the players will undergo further MRI tests conducted by designated Confederation of African Football (CAF) doctors.

In the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U17 Zonal qualifiers held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2022, Somalia beat South Sudan 3-1 in the final.