The inaugural festival delivered on its promise of giving young footballers from across the world an opportunity to compete and develop.

Bonface Osano, Marabou News Agency

Africa’s next generation of football talent made a strong statement on the global stage, with Guinea and Ghana breaking into the world’s top seven as Kenya capped an encouraging campaign at the inaugural FIFA U15 World Cup and Festival in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The week-long competition, brought together 189 national teams from October 24 to 30, introduced an innovative development model aimed at giving young players exposure to international football.

Played in an eight-a-side format, the tournament featured multiple performance tiers, ensuring teams continued competing until the final day rather than being eliminated after early defeats.

African teams accounted for 52 of the participating nations, according to FIFA, with several enjoying impressive campaigns.

Guinea emerged as Africa’s highest-placed representative, finishing sixth in the elite Tier A competition, while Ghana’s Black Comets secured seventh place after an impressive attacking display.

The Ghanaians scored 44 goals in ten matches, winning eight encounters. They concluded their campaign in style with a commanding 4-0 victory over Colombia, recovering from a heavy defeat to Brazil in the fifth-to-eighth-place classification matches.

Morocco and Egypt also made the top 15, finishing 13th and 14th respectively, while Cameroon placed 23rd.

Zambia provided one of Africa’s biggest highlights, defeating European heavyweights Portugal 5-2 in the Tier B final to claim the divisional title. The Central African Republic also celebrated silverware, beating Bangladesh 4-1 to win Tier E. Tunisia and Ethiopia were among the other African finalists.

Kenya’s young charges, meanwhile, finished 26th among the 189 participating nations, emerging as the highest-ranked team from the CECAFA region, with the team being treated to a grand reception upon their return.

The Patrick Nyale-coached side went unbeaten in the group stage, topping Group Z before progressing to the elite Tier A classification rounds.

Kenya recorded five victories, two draws and three defeats in ten matches, scoring 27 goals. Captain Innocent Media led the attack with nine goals, establishing himself as one of the team’s standout performers.

Despite losing their final classification match 3-1 to South Korea, the Kenyan youngsters return with valuable international experience and a strong foundation for future development.

Spain claimed the Tier A title, beating Czechia 3-0 in the final, as the inaugural festival delivered on its promise of giving young footballers from across the world an opportunity to compete and develop.

Marabou News Agency

Editor: George Mutero

The post African youngsters shine as Kenya finishes 26th at inaugural FIFA U15 festival appeared first on Sports Network Africa.

He took on the challenge on Sunday in his specialised racing wheelchair nicknamed the “Red Ferrari,” as part of the Race for Mobility campaign.

Bonface Osano, Marabou News Agency

Michael Panther became the first wheelchair user in Kenya to complete the full 42-kilometre Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon crossing the finish line in three hours and 45 minutes to raise funds for children with disabilities.

The founder of Hope Mobility Kenya took on the challenge on Sunday, October 23, 2026 in his specialised racing wheelchair nicknamed the “Red Ferrari,” as part of the Race for Mobility campaign.

Panther raised Sh5 million (approximately US$38,500) to support the manufacture and distribution of custom-made paediatric wheelchairs, helping children access education, healthcare and participate more fully in community life.

“This is a huge milestone because nobody in this country in a wheelchair has done this before, so I’m just humbled to be a part of this marathon this year, and I want to give a special thank you to the Standard Chartered Marathon for giving me the opportunity to be part of this marathon. It was not easy, I struggled going up the hill, but I’m here, I managed to finish, so I’m just so grateful,” he said.

Each specialised paediatric wheelchair costs approximately Sh50,000 (about US$385) to produce, meaning the funds could provide up to 100 wheelchairs, subject to final production and distribution costs. Hope Mobility Kenya manufactures and distributes around 3,500 wheelchairs annually.

“I was doing this marathon to create awareness and raise support for pediatric wheelchairs for children with disabilities around Kenya,” Michael added.

According to the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, Kenya faces a shortfall of about 550,000 wheelchairs and other assistive mobility devices, including an estimated 200,000 required by children.

Hope Mobility Kenya is calling on individuals, businesses and partners to support the campaign and help more children access custom-fitted wheelchairs.

Marabou News Agency

Editor: George Mutero

The post Michael Panther makes history after completing 42km in a wheelchair appeared first on Sports Network Africa.

Both teams booked their spots in next year’s Africa regional final, where they’ll battle for a place in the 2028 ICC Men’s World Cup.

Edwin Kiplagat, Marabou News Agency

Hosts Nigeria secured a narrow one-run win over Uganda on Sunday to claim the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Africa Sub-Regional Qualifier C title in the country’s capital, Abuja.

Both teams had already booked their spots in next year’s Africa Regional Final, where they’ll battle for a place in the 2028 ICC Men’s World Cup.

The hosts won the toss and opted to bat first. They scored 148 runs all out in 19.4 overs. Isaac Danladi led the scoring for Nigeria, bagging 47 runs off 28 deliveries, while Ali Rahmon added 35 off 23 balls.

Uganda’s Joseph Baguma shone with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 21 runs in four overs, while Juma Miyagi picked up 2 for 17.

In response, Uganda fell just short, finishing on 147 for 9 in their 20 overs. Captain Riazat Ali Shah led the chase with a 36-ball 60, but Nigeria sealed the victory when Juma Miyagi was run out on the final ball.

“I think there’s a lot of learning in this game and there’s a lot of positives for us, especially the way we played our first four games and the way our bowlers bowled and the way our batters batted,” said Ugandan captain Riazat Ali Shah.

“I think the first and most important thing is to respect the game. When you’re in a position to win, win. When you’re in a position to fight, fight. Today we didn’t do enough of those things and I could say we deserved to be on the losing side,” Cricket Cranes assistant coach Jackson Ogwang said.

Nigeria finished at the top of the standings with an undefeated record of five wins from five matches, ending with 10 points, while the East Africans placed second with four wins and eight points.
Zambia finished third, with Mozambique, Lesotho, and Gambia rounding out fourth, fifth, and sixth places, respectively.

Uganda and Nigeria join Tanzania, Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya to complete the six-team lineup for the Africa regional final, the next step in qualifying for the 2028 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Marabou News Agency

Editor: George Mutero

The post Nigeria beats Uganda to Africa T20 title appeared first on Sports Network Africa.