South Sudan have made a winning start in the  TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA qualifiers taking place in Kampala, Uganda.

The 2022 runners-up stopped the reigning champions Somalia 3-0 in the opening Group B match played at the Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo on Sunday.

Somalia started a better side with skipper Anas Abdi seeing his effort miss the target after 14 minutes.

But the South Sudan team grew in confidence as started to close the gaps and dictate play.

After 38 minutes Shakir Antacio put South Sudan ahead when he unleashed a hard long shot from outside the box that beat Somalia’s goalkeeper Abdirahman Abdugadir.

At the stroke of half time South Sudan increased their lead with Panon Jou finishing off a well taken Lazarus Peter George Laku cross.

In the second half Somalia made some changes, but still failed to break South Sudan’s defending line led by Kudum Chol, Dameul Eyi and captain Ronaldo Jonothan.

After 72 minutes Lazarus Peter George Laku finished off from a free kick to put South Sudan 3-0 ahead. The striker however got injured during the celebration and was replaced.

“I am happy that my team managed to contain the pressure by Somalia and later score three goals. It is still early in the tournament, but we are happy with the win,” said a happy coach of South Sudan Nasir Yousif Hassen Bakit after the match.

South Sudan now top Group B with 3 points and will next face Sudan in their second match.

In the second match, a Group A tie hosts Uganda and Tanzania settled for a 1-1 draw.

Saleh Ally gave Tanzania the lead after 19 minutes, but Uganda piled pressure and leveled matters after 58 minutes through Isima Magala.

Action will continue on Wednesday with Tanzania facing Kenya in a Group A tie, while South Sudan take on Sudan in a Group B match. The best two teams will qualify for the U-17 AFCON to take place in Ivory Coast next year.

Two matches are on card as the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA qualifiers kicks-off this afternoon in Kampala, Uganda.

Defending champions Somalia will take to the pitch first against South Sudan in a Group B match at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium.

The second match of the day will see hosts Uganda battle Tanzania in the Group A match that promises to be a thriller.

Somalia’s head coach Mohamed Abdulqadir Sheikhdon told Cecafa that his team has prepared well for the opening match.

“The team is prepared for this tournament and we are capable of retaining the Cup,” he added

But the South Sudan coach Nasir Yousif Hassen Bakit has also made it clear that they will take every match like a final because this is a very important tournament.

For the second match Uganda’s coach Brian Ssenyondo has made it clear facing Tanzania is always tough. Playing Tanzania is a derby, but we are prepared to go all out and try to win the opening match,” added the coach.

Aggrey Morris Ambros, the Tanzania U-17 coach says his players are ready for the battle. “We know facing the hosts will not be an easy match, but my team is ready,” added the coach.

The Zonal qualifiers has six teams tussling it out, and the finalists will qualify to represent CECAFA at the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next year in Ivory Coast. The continental event will also act as a FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifier.

Meanwhile, CECAFA and the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) have announced that entry fees for the U-17 AFCON Zonal qualifiers will be Shs30,000 for the VIP seats and Shs10,000 for the ordinary seats.

The defending champions Somalia will kick start their campaign against South Sudan in opening match of the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – CECAFA qualifiers on Sunday.

It will a repeat of the 2022 final as the two sides face-off in a Group B encounter at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala.

After the withdraw of Ethiopia and Burundi, CECAFA organized a mini draw on Thursday which placed hosts Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya in Group A, while Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan are in Group B.

Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Director made it clear that with the tournament now running from December 15-27^th, all matches will be played at the same venue in Kampala.

“The best two teams from each group will qualify for the semi- final stage, while the finalists will automatically qualify for the U-17 AFCON to be held next year,” added Mossi.

The second match on Day 1 will see hosts Uganda battle Tanzania in a Group A match that promises to be a thriller.

After two rest days action will return on December 18^th with Tanzania facing Kenya, while South Sudan take on Sudan.

Auka Gecheo, the CECAFA Executive Director confirmed that all the teams had their players pass the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests. “We are glad all teams passed the mandatory MRI tests to check eligibility and now we are set for action,” added Gecheo.

The tournament has attracted Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan. The other Member Associations whose teams will not take part include; Djibouti, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi and Eritrea.

Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF) has withdrawn their team from the forthcoming TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA qualifiers.

The tournament slated for December 14-27^th in Uganda was set to attract eight teams after the draw had been conducted last week in Kampala.

However, EFF communicated on Monday night that their teams will unfortunately miss out. “On behalf of the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF), I regret to inform you that our U-17 Boys National Team will not be participating in the upcoming AFCON U-17 CECAFA Zone qualification tournament,” Bahiru Tilahun, the EFF Chief Executive Officer stated in his communication.

He explained that the decision was reached as result of unforeseen budgetary constraints. “We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause and extend our gratitude to CECAFA for your understanding and continued support of Ethiopian football,” added Tilahun.

The withdrawal of Ethiopia now leaves Group A with three teams; Uganda Tanzania and Burundi. The 2022 champions Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Kenya are placed in Group B. The best two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-final stage, while the finalists automatically qualify for the continental showpiece.