Rwanda are the third team from the CECAFA Zone to qualify for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The hosts of the Zonal qualifiers defeated Ethiopia 2-1 in the play-off match for third place on Monday at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

Rwanda took an early 5^th minute lead with a well taken strike by Heylen Jayden Shema from outside the box. But after eight minutes Abdisa Gutema Dachesa almost leveled matters, but Rwanda’s goalkeeper Emmanuel Nsengiyumva did well to stop the shot.

After 16 minutes Isaac Ndizeye nodded in Rwanda’s second goal finishing off beautifully from a well taken corner. The Ethiopian did not give up and continued to attack and creating scoring opportunities. With three minutes to half time Akrem Abduselam Jemal pulled a goal back for Ethiopia from close range.

The two teams continued to create several scoring opportunities after the interval, but to no avail. Rwanda handled by former Internatinal Jimmy Mulisa now join Uganda and Somalia as the three representatives from the CECAFA Zone who will play at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

It will be Rwanda’s second qualification for the CAF U-17 AFCON after their first appearance in 2011 when they hosted and lost 2-1 to Burkina Faso in the final.