AFCON U-17 qualifiers
Kenya battle Tanzania in Zonal U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
Kenya will kick-start their campaign in the Zonal qualifiers of the TotalEnergies CAF 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 24th, 2024, and the finalists will qualify to represent the Zone at the TotalEnergies CAf Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to take place in Ivory Coast next year.