AFCON U-17 qualifiers
Somalia, Uganda book semi-final slots in Zonal U-17 AFCON qualifiers
Hosts Uganda and Somalia have qualified for the semi-final stage at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA qualifiers.
Somalia, the 2022 Zonal champions needed a late goal to see off Sudan 1-0 in Group B tie played at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala on Saturday.
Sakariye Mohamed netted the vital goal for the Somalia team two minutes into added time to send the Somalian fans into celebrations.
“We are very happy that we kept strong and pushed on till we scored the vital goal,” said Somalia’s assistant coach Muqtar Ali.
In the second match the hosts Uganda Cubs humbled Kenya 5-0 to finish top of Group A ahead of Tanzania.
Uganda netted three goals in the first half with James Bogere converting an early penalty and added his second before the interval. Isima Mulala Magala also got his name on the score sheet in the first half.
After recess Bogere netted his third goal after 58 minutes after the Kenyan defending line again failed to close out spaces. Substitute Simon Wanyama also made sure he increased Uganda’s lead to five goals with a hard shot after 78 minutes.
Uganda will now face Somalia in the second semi-final match, while South Sudan battle Tanzania on December 24th, 2024. The finalists will automatically qualify for the TotalEergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to take place next year in Morocco.
Djibouti have withdrawn their team from participating in the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
“We have received communication from the Djibouti Football Federation indicating that they have withdrawn their team,” says Jean Sseninde, the CECAFA Interim Executive Director.
Djibouti had been drawn alongside Tanzania and Kenya for the Zonal qualifier which takes place October 10-19th in Kigali, Rwanda.
“The Djibouti Football Federation (FDF) regrets to inform you that Djibouti will not be able to participate in the qualifiers for the 2026 CECAFA U-17 AFCON, scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda. This decision stems directly from exceptional circumstances beyond our control,” said a communication from the Djibouti Football Federation (DFF).
Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager has made it cleat that after this development, a mini draw will be performed in-order to balance the groups.
“ With this, to complete the Group C that remains with two teams, we will proceed to the mini draw that will allow us to balance the groups and to have three teams in each group. However, we are requesting for your patience until the end of the MRI process,” added Mossi.
The nine remaining teams are expected to complete the MRI tests in Kigali on Wednesday.
The best three teams will qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)
Teams: Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya
AFCON U-17 qualifiers
Rwanda draw Sudan, Somalia in 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON CECAFA qualifiers
Hosts Rwanda have drawn Sudan, Somalia and South Sudan for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
Rwanda will host the Zonal qualifier in the capital Kigali from October 10-19th, and the best three teams will qualifier for the continental final.
The draw was conducted by the CECAFA Competitions Manager Yusuf Mossi and assisted by Tanzania’s Ladaki Chasambi (MVP at the 2018 U-17 AFCON qualifiers) at the Azam Studio in Dar es salaam on Wednesday.
Uganda have been placed in Group B together with Ethiopia and Burundi. The reigning champions Tanzania, Djibouti and Kenya are placed in Group C. The matches will be played at the Kigali Pele Stadium and the FERWAFA Technical Centre play ground.
The top teams in each Group will automatically qualify for the semi-final stage, while the best second placed team from all the three groups will also join in the semis.
The two finalists and the winner of the play-off for third place will qualify to play at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Group A: Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan
Group B: Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi
Group C: Tanzania, Djibouti, Kenya
The draw for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 CECAFA qualifiers will take place on September 23rd in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Yusuf Mossi, the Competitions Manager of the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) said the draw will be hosted at Azam TV studios.
“We are delighted that our broadcast partners Azam TV have accepted to host the draw,” said Mossi.
The Zonal qualifiers are set to take place October 10-20th in the Rwandan capital Kigali. “Ten Member Associations have registered their teams for the qualifiers,” confirmed Mossi.
The best three teams will qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027.
Tanzania are the reigning champions after they defeated Uganda in the final last year when the tournament was held in Ethiopia.
Teams: Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan
Tanzania’s Luqman Mbalasalu and Dawit Kasaw Yirdaw received the joint Top scorer Award at the climax of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.
The two players each finished with eight goals a piece as the tournament ended on Tuesday at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Isayas Jira, the President of the Ethiopia Football Federation and CAF Exco Member awarded the two players.
The hosts who finished third also won the Fair Play Award, while Tanzania’s Haji Abdallah who also stopped two penalties in the tournament was voted Best goalkeeper.
Uganda’s captain Owen Mukisa voted Best Player of the tournament received his Award from the CECAFA Acting President and President of the Burundi Football Federation, Alexandre Muyenge.
Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, the Tanzania Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports handed of the Best Coach Award to Elieneza Nicolaus Nsangazelu.
Awards
Fair Play Award – Ethiopia
Gold Medalists – Tanzania
Silver Medalists – Uganda
Bronze Medalists – Ethiopia
Best Goalkeeper – Haji Abdallah (Tanzania)
Top Scorers – Luqman Mbalasalu (Tanzania), Dawit Kasaw Yirdaw (Ethiopia)
Best Player – Owen Mukisa (Uganda)
Best Coash – Elieneza Nicolaus Nsangazelu (Tanzania)
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