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.