NEWS
Defending champs Somalia to face Kenya in Zonal U-17 AFCON qualifiers
The 2022 champions Somalia have been drawn to face Kenya in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA qualifiers.
The tournament which will bring together eight teams will take place at the Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo and St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende in Uganda between December 14-27th, 2024.
The draw conducted by Jean Namayega Sseninde, the CECAFA Women’s Football Development Manager saw Somalia placed in Group B alongside South Sudan, Sudan and Kenya.
Hosts Uganda were drawn in Group A where they will face Ethiopia, Tanzania and Burundi.
“We expect a very competitive tournament with the youngsters expressing themselves as much as possible,” added Sseninde.
Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Director says all teams will have their players undergo the mandatory Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests to determine if they are eligible to play in the tournament.
The best two teams will qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the CAF U-17 AFCON tournament to take place in 2025.
In the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) U-17 CECAFA qualifiers held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 2022, Somalia beat South Sudan 3-1 in the final.
Group A: Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi
Group B: Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Kenya