Uganda crowned CECAFA U-17 champions after 3-0 victory over Serengeti Girls

Uganda’s Under-17 women’s national team were crowned champions of the CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship after a commanding 3-0 victory over hosts Tanzania’s Serengeti Girls in the final played at KMC Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

The championship match brought together the tournament’s two strongest sides, both of whom had impressed throughout the competition.

However, it was Uganda who produced a clinical display to claim the regional title and complete an extraordinary campaign without conceding a single goal.

Uganda took control of the final during the closing stages of the first half.

Justine Ayerango opened the scoring in the 38th minute, giving her side a deserved lead after a disciplined and energetic performance.

Four minutes later, Brenda Nassaka doubled Uganda’s advantage, leaving the home crowd stunned as Tanzania struggled to contain the visitors’ attacking threat.

Any hopes of a Serengeti Girls comeback were effectively ended shortly after the restart when Flavia Yagala found the back of the net in the 48th minute to make it 3-0.

Uganda comfortably managed the remainder of the match, securing a memorable victory and lifting the CECAFA U-17 trophy.

The tournament featured eight teams from the East and Central African region, including Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti, Sudan, South Sudan and Zanzibar.

Throughout the competition, Uganda established themselves as the standout team, combining attacking flair with remarkable defensive solidity.

Uganda began their campaign in Group B by winning all three of their matches, scoring an impressive 20 goals and averaging nearly seven goals per game.

Their dominance continued in the knockout stage, where they defeated Kenya 3-0 in the semi-finals before overcoming Tanzania by the same scoreline in the final.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Uganda’s triumph was their defensive record.

The champions did not concede a single goal from the start of the tournament to the final whistle, underlining their superiority on both ends of the pitch.

Tanzania’s Serengeti Girls also enjoyed an impressive run to the final.

They finished top of Group A with seven points, beginning their campaign with a 4-0 victory over Somalia before producing one of the tournament’s most emphatic results by crushing South Sudan 10-0.

They concluded the group stage with a 1-1 draw against Kenya.

In the semi-finals, Tanzania comfortably defeated South Sudan 4-0 to secure a place in the championship match.

However, their hopes of lifting the trophy on home soil were dashed by an outstanding Ugandan side determined to make history.

The victory marks a significant achievement for Uganda’s youth football development programme and confirms the country's growing strength in women’s football.

For Tanzania, despite the disappointment of defeat in the final, the tournament provided valuable experience and highlighted the promising future of the Serengeti Girls.