AFCON U-20 QUALIFIERS: Djibouti recover to defeat Somalia

Djibouti’s national U-20 team have picked their first win at the on-going Zonal qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) U-20.

The Djibouti team that suffered a heavy loss to hosts Tanzania in the opening Group A match saw off Somalia 2-1 in a match played on Tuesday afternoon at the Black Rhino Academy play ground in Karatu.

Aweys Iman gave Somalia the lead after only four minutes, but the Djibouti team did not give up.

In the second half Djibouti leveled matters with a penalty converted by Kassim Abdourahman Kamil only four minutes after the restart.

The two teams continued to create numerous scoring opportunities, but failed to convert them. With three minutes to full time Moktar Djama netted to make sure Djibouti snatch maximum points.

The win gives Djibouti a mathematical chance to qualify for the semi- final stage as the best loser if the other teams in the two groups fail to perform better after getting 3 points.

Tanzania lead Group A with 3 points and a good goal difference after walloping Djibouti 6-1, while Kenya are also top of Group C after a 3-0 victory against Ethiopia. Uganda and South Sudan settled for a goalless draw on Monday.

Action returns to the Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium in Arusha on Wednesday with two matches on card. Uganda Hippos will face Burundi in the first match, while Sudan take on Ethiopia.