Somalia’s star player Abdihafid Mohamed Abdi has said he is delighted to be voted the best player at the just concluded TotalEnergies U-17 Afruca Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The forward helped Somalia make history by stopping South Sudan 3-1 in the final played on October 15^th at the Abebe Bikila Stadium.

To reach the final Somalia ejected 2020 champions Uganda Cubs, while South Sudan eliminated Tanzania. Abdihafid netted three goals in the tournament including the final.

The youngster who is already playing Premier League football with Somalian team Elman SC said besides helping Somalia qualify for the U-17 AFCON 2023, he is glad that he was voted the best player.

Nur Mohamed Amin, the Somalia U-17 head coach praised Abdihafid for leading the team from the front and giving his best. “Abdihafid played an instrumental role in our team and he deserved to be voted the best player,” added the coach.

Other Awards

Fair-Play Award: Ethiopia

Best Goalkeeper: Abdikadir Ali Mohamed (Somalia)

Top Scorers’ Award: Sylvester Otto (Tanzania).

Bronze Medal: Tanzania U-17 team

Silver Medal: South Sudan U-17 team

Gold Medalist: Somalia

_{The Somalia U-17 national team have made history by winning the CECAFA Zonal U-17 title.}

_{Somalia defeated South Sudan 3-1 in the final of the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup pf Nations (AFCON) 2023 for the CECAFA Zone played on Saturday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.}

_{Abdihafid Mohamed Abdi gave Somalia an early lead after seven minutes. But a hard fighting South Sudan team made it 1-1 after 48 minutes with Ajo Minari Alex Lomoro netting the goal.}

_{But the Somalia team that has seen off the 2020 CECAFA Zonal champions Uganda added two more goals through Abdirahin Mohamed Dahir.}

_{Nur Mohamed Amin, the Somalia coach said his team has played well and deserved to win. “I am proud of my players who did what I asked them to do,” said a happy Amin.}

_{Somali Football Federation Acting President Ali Abdi Mohamed said winning this title means a lot to their country. “We are very proud of our team and this win will open many other doors towards football development in the country,” added Mohamed.}

_{Bilal Felix Komoyangi, the South Sudan coach said although they lost the final, qualifying for the U-17 AFCON which they achieved was their main}

_{In the play-off match Tanzania defeated a 10-man Uganda Cubs team 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. Substitute Farouk Lubega put Uganda ahead at the stroke of half time.}

_{But after the interval the goal scorer for Uganda Lubega was sent-off, and Tanzania leveled matters through Ally Omar. The Tanzanian team converted all their four penalties, while the Tanzania’s goalkeeper Alexander Mwakapambika saved two spot kicks to help his team finish third.}

_{Souleiman Hassan Waberi, CAF Third Vice President and the CECAFA President Wallace Karia also graced the final and the awards ceremony. The other Member Association Presidents who attended the final include;  Isayas Jira (Ethiopia), Abraham Esayas (Eritrea) and Alexandre Muyenge (Burundi).}

_{The third Vice President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Souleiman Hassan Waberi will grace the final of the TotalEnergies U-17 AFCON qualifier for the CECAFA Zone.}

_{Somalia will face South Sudan in the final to be played on Saturday at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.}

_{Auka Gecheo, the CECAFA Executive Director confirmed that Waberi who is also the President of the Organising Committee for Youth Competitions will arrive later today. “We shall have the CAF third Vice President attend the final day of the tournament. CECAFA President Wallace Karia is also around together with President of the Ethiopia Football Federation Isayas Jira,” added Gecheo.}

_{The two finalists Somalia and South Sudan have already booked slots in the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 which will take place in Algeria. To reach the final Somalia ejected Uganda Cubs, while South Sudan saw-off Tanzania at the semi final stage.}

_{The qualifiers for the CECAFA region attracted Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Burundi, Somalia and South Sudan. Rwanda and Eritrea who has earlier entered the competition withdrew.}

_{The national U-17 teams of South Sudan and Somalia have made their own history by qualifying for the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023.}

_{Athough the two teams finished second in their respective groups in the Zonal qualifiers for CECAFA, they bundled top ranked sides Tanzania and Uganda at the semi final stage on Wednesday at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.}

_{Somalia was the first team to book the ticket after seeing off reigning Zonal champions Uganda 8-7 on penalties after the match had ended 1-1 in 90 minutes.}

_{Jamal Ssemwogere gave Uganda Cubs the lead after 41 minutes, Abdihafid Abdi leveled matters for Somalia two minutes later. After the interval the two teams created several scoring chances, but failed to find the goals. During the penalty shootouts, the Somalia players all converted, while Uganda’s Arafat Nkoola missed his penalty.}

_{The Somalia coach Nur Mohamed Amin said he is happy to make history with the U-17 team and qualify for AFCON. “We now want to win the Cup,” added Amin.}

_{In the second semi final Jonathan Ajoung netted after 36 minutes for South Sudan, but Tanzania made it 1-1 after 71 minutes with a a goal netted by substitute Yassin Manage.}

_{The Serengeti Boys of Tanzania continued to dominate play, but failed to find the goals. The match was decided by penalty kicks with South Sudan winning 4-3. Four South Sudan players converted, while Tanzania’s Yassin Manage and Adolf Hamisi missed.}

_{The play-off and the final will be played on Saturday.The TotalEnergies U-17 AFCON 2023 will be hosted by Algeria.}