AFCON U-17 qualifiers
Semi final stage set in Addis Ababa
The TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers for the CECAFA Zone enter the semi final stage this afternoon at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Reigning Zonal champions Uganda Cubs will take to the field in the first semi final against Somalia.
To reach the knock out stage Uganda dispatched Burundi 4-0 and followed it with a 4-1 victory against South Sudan, while Somalia shocked hosts Ethiopia 1-0, and went on to suffer a 2-1 defeat to Tanzania.
Uganda will look to their leading scorer Arafat Nkoola and Alex Yiga who have netted three and two goals respectively, while Somalia hope that Abdihafid Mohamed and Idris Mohamed continue to find their scoring form.
Humuza Lutalo, the Uganda Cubs head coach told Cecafaonline that his players are determined to go past the semi final stage. “We shall not underrate the Somalia team, but make sure we play according to our plan to win the match and qualify for the final,” added Lutalo.
The Somalia coach Nur Mohamed Amin said although they respect the Ugandan team, his team is prepared to give their best on the pitch.
Tanzania will face South Sudan in the second semi final encounter. Sylvester Otto, the leading tournament scorer with four goals will lead the Tanzanian attack as they hope to register their third straight win in the tournament.
Coach Kim Poulsen’s team kick started the tournament with a hard fought 3-2 win against hosts Ethiopia, and went o to stop Somalia 2-1 in the last Group A match.
But Poulsen thinks the semi final will be a very tough stage since a lot will be at stake. “These are young boys whose mental strength is still low. But I have prepared my players to put up a good show and be able to get the best result,” added Poulsen.
The South Sudan head coach Bilal Felix Komoyangi said although they are the underdogs, his team is well prepared. “We know Tanzania is a strong team, but we are ready to face them,” added the coach.
The two teams that qualify for the final will automatically book places to the U-17 AFCON 2023 to be hosted by Algeria.
Djibouti have withdrawn their team from participating in the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
“We have received communication from the Djibouti Football Federation indicating that they have withdrawn their team,” says Jean Sseninde, the CECAFA Interim Executive Director.
Djibouti had been drawn alongside Tanzania and Kenya for the Zonal qualifier which takes place October 10-19th in Kigali, Rwanda.
“The Djibouti Football Federation (FDF) regrets to inform you that Djibouti will not be able to participate in the qualifiers for the 2026 CECAFA U-17 AFCON, scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda. This decision stems directly from exceptional circumstances beyond our control,” said a communication from the Djibouti Football Federation (DFF).
Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager has made it cleat that after this development, a mini draw will be performed in-order to balance the groups.
“ With this, to complete the Group C that remains with two teams, we will proceed to the mini draw that will allow us to balance the groups and to have three teams in each group. However, we are requesting for your patience until the end of the MRI process,” added Mossi.
The nine remaining teams are expected to complete the MRI tests in Kigali on Wednesday.
The best three teams will qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
Teams: Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya
AFCON U-17 qualifiers
Rwanda draw Sudan, Somalia in 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON CECAFA qualifiers
Hosts Rwanda have drawn Sudan, Somalia and South Sudan for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
Rwanda will host the Zonal qualifier in the capital Kigali from October 10-19th, and the best three teams will qualifier for the continental final.
The draw was conducted by the CECAFA Competitions Manager Yusuf Mossi and assisted by Tanzania’s Ladaki Chasambi (MVP at the 2018 U-17 AFCON qualifiers) at the Azam Studio in Dar es salaam on Wednesday.
Uganda have been placed in Group B together with Ethiopia and Burundi. The reigning champions Tanzania, Djibouti and Kenya are placed in Group C. The matches will be played at the Kigali Pele Stadium and the FERWAFA Technical Centre play ground.
The top teams in each Group will automatically qualify for the semi-final stage, while the best second placed team from all the three groups will also join in the semis.
The two finalists and the winner of the play-off for third place will qualify to play at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Group A: Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan
Group B: Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi
Group C: Tanzania, Djibouti, Kenya
The draw for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 CECAFA qualifiers will take place on September 23rd in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Yusuf Mossi, the Competitions Manager of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) said the draw will be hosted at Azam TV studios.
“We are delighted that our broadcast partners Azam TV have accepted to host the draw,” said Mossi.
The Zonal qualifiers are set to take place October 10-20th in the Rwandan capital Kigali. “Ten Member Associations have registered their teams for the qualifiers,” confirmed Mossi.
The best three teams will qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.
Tanzania are the reigning champions after they defeated Uganda in the final last year when the tournament was held in Ethiopia.
Teams: Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan
Tanzania’s Luqman Mbalasalu and Dawit Kasaw Yirdaw received the joint Top scorer Award at the climax of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
The two players each finished with eight goals a piece as the tournament ended on Tuesday at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Isayas Jira, the President of the Ethiopia Football Federation and CAF Exco Member awarded the two players.
The hosts who finished third also won the Fair Play Award, while Tanzania’s Haji Abdallah who also stopped two penalties in the tournament was voted Best goalkeeper.
Uganda’s captain Owen Mukisa voted Best Player of the tournament received his Award from the CECAFA Acting President and President of the Burundi Football Federation, Alexandre Muyenge.
Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, the Tanzania Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports handed of the Best Coach Award to Elieneza Nicolaus Nsangazelu.
Awards
Fair Play Award – Ethiopia
Gold Medalists – Tanzania
Silver Medalists – Uganda
Bronze Medalists – Ethiopia
Best Goalkeeper – Haji Abdallah (Tanzania)
Top Scorers – Luqman Mbalasalu (Tanzania), Dawit Kasaw Yirdaw (Ethiopia)
Best Player – Owen Mukisa (Uganda)
Best Coash – Elieneza Nicolaus Nsangazelu (Tanzania)
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