The head coach of Somalia’s U-17 team, Mohamed Abdulkhadir Shikhdon has warned that his team is well prepared to face Uganda in the semi-final of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA qualifiers on Tusday.

South Sudan will face Tanzania in the first semi-final tie this afternoon, while Somalia, the reigning champions of the U-17 CECAFA Zone battle hosts Uganda. The matches will take place at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala.

Shikhdon who is based in Sweden has made it clear that after struggling to qualify for the knock out stage, they are more than hungry to prove a point when they face Uganda.

“We know what to expect against Uganda because we also beat them at the same level in 2022 in Ethiopia. We are going to be very cautious and also try to be sharp at goal because we have been missing several scoring opportunities,” added the Somalia coach.

Uganda’s coach Brian Ssenyondo has also made it clear that the knock out stage is very different and his players must be very sharp at goal, while the defending department is very alert to close out the opponents. “We must play as a team and kill of the game early,” added Ssenyondo.

To reach the semis Uganda topped Group A after drawing 1-1 with Tanzania and humbling Kenya 5-0 in the last group match. Somalia started their campaign with a 3-0 defeat to South Sudan, and struggled to defeat Sudan 1-0 in their deciding Group B match.

The earlier semi-final clash promises to be a tight battle. 

Nasir Yousif Hassen Bakit, the South Sudan coach has made it clear that although they won their first two matches, the semi-final stage is different and his players must double their efforts. “I have told my players to work harder because a win at this stage means we qualify for the U-17 AFCON,” he added.

The Tanzanian coach Aggrey Morris Ambros also pointed out that they must keep close watch of South Sudan’s attacking force that has scored four goals in their two matches. “We need to be very organized and hungry to win,” added the former Tanzanian International.

The best two teams will qualify for the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to take place in Morocco.

Collected results

Somalia 0 South Sudan3

Uganda 1 Tanzania1

Tanzania 1 Kenya 0

South Sudan 1 Sudan 0

Somalia 1 Sudan 0

Uganda 5 Kenya 0

Hosts Uganda and Somalia have qualified for the semi-final stage at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA qualifiers.

Somalia, the 2022 Zonal champions needed a late goal to see off Sudan 1-0 in Group B tie played at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala on Saturday.

Sakariye Mohamed netted the vital goal for the Somalia team two minutes into added time to send the Somalian fans into celebrations.

“We are very happy that we kept strong and pushed on till we scored the vital goal,” said Somalia’s assistant coach Muqtar Ali.

In the second match the hosts Uganda Cubs humbled Kenya 5-0 to finish top of Group A ahead of Tanzania.

Uganda netted three goals in the first half with James Bogere converting an early penalty and added his second before the interval. Isima Mulala Magala also got his name on the score sheet in the first half.

After recess Bogere netted his third goal after 58 minutes after the Kenyan defending line again failed to close out spaces. Substitute Simon Wanyama also made sure he increased Uganda’s lead to five goals with a hard shot after 78 minutes.

Uganda will now face Somalia in the second semi-final match, while South Sudan battle Tanzania on December 24^th, 2024. The finalists will automatically qualify for the TotalEergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to take place next year in Morocco.

Tanzania and South Sudan have booked slots in the semi-final stage at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA qualifiers in Kampala, Uganda.

The Tanzania team defeated Kenya 1-0 in the first Group A match, while South Sudan saw off Sudan 1-0 in a Group B tie all played at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium on Wednesday.

In the first match Juma Sagwe netted the lone goal for Tanzania after 19 minutes. He capitalized on a well taken Juma Abushiri pass to slot the ball past Kenya’s goalkeeper Golan Odiwuor.

The two sides continued to create several scoring opportunities, but failed to convert. After recess Kenya intensified their search for goals, but failed to break the Tanzanian defending line.

After 80 minutes Kenya’s Lukonde Mwale came close to leveling matters, but the Tanzanian goalkeeper Abrahman Nassoro parried the ball out of danger.

Aggrey Morris Ambros, the Tanzania coach said he was proud of his team that has made it to the next stage. “I am happy that we have qualified for the semi-final stage and now we need to prepare well for the next stage,” added the Tanzanian coach who team settled for a 1-1 draw in their opening match against Uganda on Sunday.

In the second match South Sudan made sure they maintained their unbeaten run.  

Lazarus Peter George Laku netted his second goal of the tournament after 33 minutes. He past Sudan’s goalkeeper Mamadu Mohamed Musa Ali at close range.

The Sudan team tried to reorganize themselves with Faisal Omer Mohamed Mustafa and Sami Hassan Idris Koko getting some opportunities in-front of goal and failing to take them.

South Sudan finished top of Group B with six points and now await the knock out stage.

Nasir Yousif Hassen Bakit, the South Sudan coach said that his boys took their chance and won with one goal to qualify for the next stage. “We know there is still a lot of work to do s we prepare for the semi-final,” added the coach.

Action returns on December 21^st with Somalia facing Sudan in a Group B match, while hosts Uganda take on Kenya in a Group A tie.

Kenya will kick-start their campaign in the Zonal qualifiers of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on Wednesday against Tanzania.

The Group A match will kick off Day 2 of the competition, South Sudan face Sudan in a Group B match later at the same Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala.

Salim Bab Ndarai, Kenya’s head coach has made it clear that their first match is very vital because it will give them the right momentum.

“We know facing Tanzania will not be an easy task because they already played and drew 1-1 with Uganda. My players know what this opening match means to us and we shall go all out to try and get a win,” says Ndarai.

In the second match South Sudan who picked a convincing 3-0 win against Somalia in their opening match can also afford a draw to qualify for the semi-final stage.

Nasir Yousif Hassan Bakit, the South Sudan coach has made it clear that they will not be complacent but make sure they play every match like a final. “We are determined to register our second win so that we can top the group and wait for the knock out stage,” added the coach.

The Sudan coach Moatasem Khaled has also made it clear that the first match will be very important to them. “We have prepared well and the team is ready, and well motivated to perform well,” added Khaled.

The qualifiers that have attracted six teams will enter the knock out stage on December 24^th, 2024, and the finalists will qualify to represent the Zone at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to take place in Morocco next year.