The 2026 CECAFA U20 Championship reaches its climax at Uhuru Stadium on Thursday, with Uganda facing Burundi for third place before hosts Tanzania meet Sudan in the final.Both matches carry different stakes. Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsUganda and Burundi are playing for bronze and pride after their AFCON dreams ended in the semi-finals. Tanzania and Sudan have already secured qualification for the 2027 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana. Now, they meet for the regional crown.Uganda vs BurundiUganda's campaign had promised much before it ended dramatically.##NAJAVA_MECA_9980516##The Hippos opened their tournament with a 4-1 win over Djibouti before beating Sudan 1-0 to finish top of their group. Their semi-final against Sudan was a five-goal thriller. Uganda took the lead through Richard Okello after seven minutes, but Sudan quickly levelled. US-based Kenyan youngster eager to solve Harambee Stars' problematic positionWaheed Shandi then put Sudan ahead before Derrick Ssozi restored parity.Mazin Taowr eventually settled the contest with an 82nd-minute winner, sending Sudan into the final and Uganda into the third-place playoff.Burundi also impressed in the group stage. They opened with a 4-0 victory over South Sudan before beating Kenya 2-0, with captain Amini Nshimirimana scoring four goals across the two matches.Their semi-final against hosts Tanzania proved a different challenge. Tanzania scored twice in the first half through Juma Abushiri and Faraji Kayanda to secure a 2-0 victory.The bronze-medal match gives both sides an opportunity to end their campaigns positively.McCarthy explains why England-based defender is yet to make Harambee Stars debutUganda will need to rediscover the attacking sharpness that produced four goals against Djibouti, while Burundi will look to Nshimirimana for inspiration after the captain's prolific group-stage run.Uganda vs Burundi | 12:30pm | Third-place playoff | Uhuru StadiumTanzania vs SudanThen comes the main event.Tanzania enter the final unbeaten and yet to concede a goal.The hosts opened with a 3-0 victory over Rwanda before putting four past Ethiopia. They followed that with a composed 2-0 semi-final win over Burundi, with Abushiri and Kayanda finding the net.Nine goals scored. None conceded.It is the kind of record that has made Tanzania the side to beat, but Sudan have already shown they are comfortable playing in difficult circumstances.McCarthy presses FKF to resolve issues affecting him and his assistantsThe Sudanese beat Djibouti 3-0 before losing narrowly to Uganda in the group stage. They bounced back when it mattered most, producing a comeback against the Hippos to reach the final.Taowr's late winner was the decisive moment, but Sudan's ability to respond after falling behind will give them confidence heading into the final.For Tanzania, the challenge will be maintaining the defensive discipline that has carried them through the tournament while finding space against a Sudan side that has already demonstrated its resilience.The final also offers Tanzania a chance to defend the regional title they won in 2024. Sudan, meanwhile, are chasing their first CECAFA U20 championship.Both have already booked their places at next year's continental finals.A look into Tanzania's transport game changer ahead of 2027 AFCON [PHOTOS]But qualification is no longer the story.There is one trophy left in Dar es Salaam.Tanzania vs Sudan | 3:30pm | Final | Uhuru Stadium
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