The preliminary round of the Kenya-Tanzania-Uganda regional qualifiers concluded this week, with several countries battling for a place in the next stage of the competition. Following a series of decisive matches played across the region, the field has been narrowed, and the first teams have secured their progression.
The round’s opening fixtures, held on 26 March 2026, delivered commanding performances and resilient defensive play. In a dominant display, South Sudan secured a resounding 4-0 victory over Djibouti, establishing a substantial advantage to carry into the return leg. Simultaneously, Seychelles and Lesotho played out a tightly contested goalless draw, setting the stage for a decisive second encounter.
Action continued on 27 March 2026, with three additional first-leg matches. Burundi mirrored South Sudan’s offensive prowess by defeating Chad 4-0, positioning themselves firmly in the driver’s seat for qualification. Elsewhere, Somalia and Mauritius fought to a stalemate, concluding their first leg with a 0-0 draw, while Ethiopia secured a convincing 3-0 away victory against São Tomé and Príncipe.
The return legs, played on 29 March 2026, determined which countries would advance. South Sudan successfully defended their first-leg advantage against Djibouti, while Lesotho overcame Seychelles to secure their place in the next round.
With the conclusion of the two-legged ties, the teams that have qualified for the next round of the qualifiers are as follows:
South Sudan
Lesotho
These highlighted sides will now progress to the subsequent phase of the competition, joining the other countries awaiting the final preliminary round results. Further details regarding the next stage’s fixtures and groupings will be announced in due course by the organizing committee.
The preliminary round has provided a compelling start to the qualifying campaign, showcasing both emerging talent and established resilience as the road to the final tournament continues.