TotalEnergies U-17 AFCON Zonal qualifiers kicks-off in Kampala

Two matches are on card as the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA qualifiers kicks-off this afternoon in Kampala, Uganda.

Defending champions Somalia will take to the pitch first against South Sudan in a Group B match at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium.

The second match of the day will see hosts Uganda battle Tanzania in the Group A match that promises to be a thriller.

Somalia’s head coach Mohamed Abdulqadir Sheikhdon told Cecafa that his team has prepared well for the opening match.

“The team is prepared for this tournament and we are capable of retaining the Cup,” he added

But the South Sudan coach Nasir Yousif Hassen Bakit has also made it clear that they will take every match like a final because this is a very important tournament.

For the second match Uganda’s coach Brian Ssenyondo has made it clear facing Tanzania is always tough. Playing Tanzania is a derby, but we are prepared to go all out and try to win the opening match,” added the coach.

Aggrey Morris Ambros, the Tanzania U-17 coach says his players are ready for the battle. “We know facing the hosts will not be an easy match, but my team is ready,” added the coach.

The Zonal qualifiers has six teams tussling it out, and the finalists will qualify to represent CECAFA at the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next year in Morocco. The continental event will also act as a FIFA U-17 World Cup qualifier.

Meanwhile, CECAFA and the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) have announced that entry fees for the U-17 AFCON Zonal qualifiers will be Shs30,000 for the VIP seats and Shs10,000 for the ordinary seats.