The Uganda Cubs qualified for next year’s Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 win over Ethiopia on Sunday in the final of the Central East Zone qualifying tournament played at the National Stadium in Dar Es Salaam and graced by CAF President Ahmad Ahmad.

Samson Kasozi nodded in Uganda Cubs’ first goal after 15 minutes before Abdul Wahad Iddi added two more in the second-half to make it 3-0.

Ethiopia scored a late consolation goal when Wondimagegn Bunaro struck from the penalty spot.

Uganda Cubs had shocked hosts Tanzania 3-1 in the last four, while Ethiopia had stopped Rwanda at the semi-final stage.

Tanzania, who had already qualified for next year’s tournament as hosts, managed to finish third after beating the Rwanda Junior Wasps in a penalty shoot-out in the play-off match.

For the first time, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) is organising the U-17 Nations Cup qualifiers according to its regional zones.

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will take place in Tanzania from 12 to 26 May.

The top four teams at the 2019 tournament will qualify for the Fifa U-17 World Cup in Peru in October next year.