South Sudan hold Burundi to storm semis

_{The South Sudan U-17 team has stormed the semi final stage of the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier of the CECAFA Zone.}

_{South Sudan’s team battled from a goal down to hold Burundi to a 1-1 draw in a Group B match played at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.}

_{The draw saw Coach Belal Felix Komoyangi’s South Sudan team finish second behind Uganda Cubs in Group B.}

_{After a goalles first half, substitute Ramadhani Harimbabazi put Burundi ahead with a well timed header after 64 minutes. The Burundi team continued to dominate play and create many chances, but the South Sudan team defended in numbers.}

_{With seven minutes to full time defender David Aguek leveled matters for South Sudan. It was all celebrations for the South Sudan team after the final whistle.}

_{“We are very happy to make it to the semi final stage. This is good for our youngsters because this will encourage them to keep working hard,” said South Sudan coach Komoyangi.}

_{In an earlier match Tanzania also came from a goal down to defeat a hard fighting Somalia team 2-1 in a Group A match. Idiris Bilal put Somalia ahead after 37 minutes, but Sylvester Otto netted a brace late in the second half to make sure Tanzania lead the group. Otto would have bagged a hattrick, but missed a penalty later in the match.}

_{The reigning champions Uganda will face Somalia in the first semi final on October 12th, while Tanzania battle South Sidan in the second semi final clash the same day.}

_{The final and play-off will be played on October 15th. The best two teams will qualify for the U-17 AFCOn to be hosted by Algeria next year.}