Tanzania’s Under-20 national team, Ngorongoro Heroes, missed out on the CECAFA title after losing 4-3 on penalties to Sudan in the final of the tournament that also serves as a qualifier for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The final ended 1-1 after 90 minutes, forcing the two sides into a penalty shootout after neither team could find a decisive goal during regulation time.
Despite the defeat, Tanzania have already secured qualification for the next stage of the AFCON competition, which will also provide a pathway to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
Ngorongoro Heroes captain Arafat Ally said the team had given its best but was unable to get the result it wanted.
“We fought with everything we had, but it was not our day,” Ally said after the match.
He urged his teammates to remain focused as they return to their respective clubs and prepare for the next stage of the competition.
“I urge my teammates to stay calm when we return to our clubs. If the coach sees us and calls us back to the squad, we will be ready to prepare ourselves,” he said.