Tanzania continued their impressive run at the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers with a 2-0 victory over Burundi at Uhuru Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Tuesday, booking their place in the final and securing qualification to the continental tourney.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe hosts came into the semi-final having won both their Group A matches without conceding, beating Rwanda 3-0 before dismantling Ethiopia 4-0. Burundi had also impressed in the group stage, beating South Sudan 4-0 and Kenya 2-0 without conceding.Burundi showed early signs of why they had arrived in the semi-final unbeaten, moving the ball with purpose and causing Tanzania problems with clever set-piece routines.Uganda coach rues officiating after Sudan's dramatic comeback to book U20 AFCON ticketAmini Nshimirimana came close in the 12th minute when he attempted an ambitious bicycle kick from Dieudonne Ndikumana's lofted delivery, with the effort narrowly missing the target.But Tanzania had the moment of magic. In the 16th minute, Juma 'Chuga Boy' Abushiri caught Burundi goalkeeper Omari Niyonkuru completely off guard, curling a corner directly into the net to give the hosts the lead.Burundi responded with pressure, as Amini tested Shabani Bakari from distance in the 27th minute, but the Tanzanian goalkeeper was equal to the effort.##NAJAVA_MECA_9980651##Tanzania then punished Burundi again. In the 32nd minute, Faraji Kayanda arrived at the back post to finish a flowing team move from Bashiri Salum's delivery, doubling the hosts' advantage.Burundi nearly pulled one back before the break when Abushiri was left unmarked, but he could not get his feet right, and his effort was saved by Niyonkuru.Tanzania went into the interval two goals ahead.Sudan rally from behind to stun Uganda, secure ticket to U20 AFCONBurundi made an attacking change at the start of the second half, with Aubin Ntwari replacing Sympathique Majidi.Tanzania goalkeeper Shabani was soon called into action again, producing a strong punch to keep out a fierce Abdulnassir Abdallah effort.Tanzania made a triple substitution in the 56th minute, with Abushiri, Kayanda and Ahmad Ahmad making way for Roony Gerry, Juma Sagwe and Arafat Masoud.##NAJAVA_MECA_9980650##Burundi continued to search for a way back into the match, but Tanzania remained disciplined.Nshimirimana had another opportunity in the 58th minute but, under pressure from the Tanzanian defence, could not keep his effort on target.As the match entered its final stages, Tanzania increasingly focused on game management. Burundi's Roy Amissi came closest to reducing the deficit with a long-range effort that forced a superb save from Shabani, who required treatment after landing awkwardly.Why Patrick Matasi believes he deserves second chance with Harambee StarsThere were late yellow cards for Burundi coach and midfielder Radjabu Nzeyimana, while Tanzania made further changes as Abdulnassir 'Casemiro' Abdallah and Bashiri Salum were replaced by Kelvin Revokatus and Machela Machela.Five minutes of added time followed, but Tanzania held firm to complete another clean sheet.The victory sends Tanzania into Thursday's final against Sudan and, with both finalists earning qualification to the 2027 U20 AFCON in Ghana, the hosts have achieved their primary objective.##NAJAVA_MECA_9980804##For Burundi, the campaign is not over. They will face Uganda in the third-place play-off on Thursday, with both sides looking to finish their CECAFA campaign on a positive note after falling short in the semi-finals.Sudan booked their place in the final earlier on Tuesday after coming from behind to beat Uganda 3-2 in the first semi-final.Tanzania will now face Sudan for the regional title, while Burundi and Uganda will meet in the third-place match. The final and third-place play-off are scheduled for Thursday, September 24.
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