AFCON U-17
South Sudan disqualified from U-17 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2023
The South Sudan Football Association (SSFA) has confirmed that their U-17 team has been disqualified from the U-17 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which is on-going in Algeria.
Albino Kuek Deng, the SSFA spokesperson confirmed in a communication on April 29th that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had notified them about the disqualification after five players were not eligible in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
The MRI, is a noninvasive medical imaging test that produces detailed images of almost every internal structure in the human body, including the organs, bones, muscles and blood vessels. It is used by CAF to determine if a player is eligible to play in the U-17 competition.
“The South Sudan Football Association regrets to announce that our team has been disqualified from the AFCON U17 Algeria 2023 due to the non-eligibility of five (5) players after the MRI test,” said the communication.
Deng explained that the MRI test was conducted on the 26th April 2023 to ensure that all players meet the age eligibility criteria set by the competition’s regulations. “Unfortunately, we received yesterday 28th April 2023 notification from CAF that five of our players did not pass the MRI test and were deemed ineligible to participate in the competition, Although two of the five players were part of the team which participated in the zonal qualifiers and passed the MRI eligibility in Ethiopia last September 2022,” added the communication.
SSFA made it clear that they immediately wrote an official complaint to CAF medical committee against their decision attaching the MRI results done in Juba, in accordance to Article 27.6 sub article (iii) of the U17 regulations. “The complaint was rejected by the medical saying that their first and second readings remains the same,” added Deng.
SSFA say they will respect the decision made by the competition’s organizers. “We apologize to our fans, sponsors, and partners for any disappointment this may cause,” added the competition.
The African Football body further confirmed that after the disqualification of South Sudan, Group C will now have Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Meanwhile, Somalia suffered a 2-0 defeat to hosts Algeria in the opening Group A match at the U-17 AFCON. Algeria’s skipper Moslem Anatouf netted a brace at the match played at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.
Tanzania have suffered a 4-1 defeat to Zambia in their first Group A match at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
After a defensive lapse by the Tanzanian team Jonathan Kalimina gave the Junior Chipolopolo the lead after only 8 minutes at the El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia.
Captained by Kassim Juma Tanzania tried to re-organise themselves and started to create some chances up-front through Jabiri Farijala and Juma Abushiri.
But before the interval Abel Nyirongo made it 2-0 for Zambia after picking a good cross from Nthasilwe Malupande.
After the break Tanzania returned charged and determined to get some goals as they had Juma Sagwe’s shot saved.
But the highly passing Zambian side continued to push forward and Mike Mutale netted their third goal after 79 minutes. Sagwe finally pulled a goal back for Tanzania with a well-timed header that beat Zambia’s goalkeeper Rogers Simumba.
Substitute Gabriel Phiri increased Zambia’s lead with the clock ticking away.
Tanzania will return to action on Thursday with a match against fellow CECAFA side Uganda. The Uganda Cubs lost their opening Group A match 5-0 to hosts Morocco on Sunday night.
Uganda Cubs made a poor start in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 falling 5-0 to hosts in a Group A match that ended on Sunday night.
Within the early 10 minutes the home side scored two goals through Ilies Belmoktar and Driss at the El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia.
The AS Monaco striker punished the flat footed Ugandan defence after only 3 minutes, and Belmokhtar made it 2-0 off a corner five minutes later.
The CECAFA U-17 reigning champions tried to settle down, but failed to match Morocco’s midfield department. Ziyad Baha also got his name on the score sheet after 24 minutes after converting a penalty.
Uganda later conceded another after 32 minutes with Belmokhtar placing the ball between the legs of past goalkeeper Ashraf Lukyamuzi to make it 4-0.
After the interval Uganda made some changes, but Ziyad Baha netted his second of the night after 72 minutes. The Cubs tried to push forward, but failed to find the goals.
Action shifts to CECAFA’s second representatives Tanzania who face Zambia in another Group A match on Monday at the El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia. On Tuesday Somalia will kick start their Group C campaign with a match against Tunisia.
The top 10 teams at the U-17 AFCON will ends on April 19th will qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar as the CAF representatives.
Head coach Brian Ssenyondo has named Uganda’s final squad ahead of the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
The competition that will attract 16 teams will take place March 30th to April 19th, 2025 in Morocco.
Uganda Cubs, winners of the CECAFA Zonal qualifiers are placed in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Tanzania and Zambia.
“We have been preparing well and we travel to continue with the preparations in Morocco before the tournament kicks-off,” said Ssenyondo before the team traveled on Thursday. The team is also expected to have some build-up matches.
The coach made it clear that his major target will be to make it to the later stages so that the team can qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The top 10 teams will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 to take place in Qatar.
Uganda Cubs will open their campaign against hosts Morocco on March 30th.
Uganda, Tanzania and Somalia are the three teams that will represent the CECAFA Zone at the AFCON U-17 qualifiers.
Uganda’s squad
Adrian Mukwanga, Ashraf Kyakuwa, Trevor Mubiru, Marvin Kabiito (Vipers SC Junior Team), Jovan Nsereko Mukisa (NEC FC Junior Team), Hamza Sengooba, James Bogere, Isima Mulala Magala (Masaka Sunshine FC), Ethan Adeleke Afuga Andreas Oyedele (Bradfield College), Joseph Langol (Paorhinar Soccer Academy), Elvis Torach (Masaka Sunshine FC), Derrick Ssozi (Fort Portal Tax Operators FC), Thomas Ogema, Ashraf Lukyamuzi, Steven Oyirwoth (KCCA FC Soccer Academy), Richard Okello ( Bidco FC Junior Team), Simon Wanyama (Bukedea Comprehensive), Shakur Baggio Lucky Magogo (Namilyango College School), Brain Jjara (KCCA FC), John Brian Owino (Express FC Junior Team), Muhamad Masabo (Lugazi FC Junior Team), Abdul Lukenje Ntege ( Maroons FC Junior Team)
Two teams from the CECAFA Zone Uganda and Tanzania have been placed in Group A ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
During the draw conducted on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt, the CECAFA Zonal champions Uganda have been placed with Tanzania, hosts Morocco and Zambia. In the final of the Zonal qualifiers Uganda stopped Tanzania 2-1.
The expanded tournament which will feature 16 teams is selected for March 30th to April 19th, 2025. The best 10 teams will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup to take place in Qatar in November.
During the draw conducted by former Mali international Adama Coulibaly and ex-Senegal star Souleymane Camara will act as draw assistants, another team from the CECAFA Zone Somalia was placed in Group C alongside defending champions Senegal, Gambia and Tunisia.
The 2011 champions Burkina Faso are placed in Group B alongside the champion from UNIFFAC, South Africa and Egypt, while Group D has Mali, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire and the second team in the UNIFFAC qualifiers.
Group A: Morocco, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia
Group B: Burkina Faso, UNIFAC 1, South Africa, Egypt
Group C: Senegal, Gambia, Somalia, Tunisia
Group D: Mali, Angola, Cote D’Ivoire, UNIFFAC 2
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