WOMEN
Women’s Football finally played in Somalia
The world Football governing body, FIFA has welcomed the move by Somalia to finally start engaging with women’s Football.
On March 8th, 2024 women’s football was finally played in the capital Mogadishu to commemorate International Women’s Day with Futsal match.
SWF women’s football team, defeated their rivals of SSC by 3-1 in the maiden women’s futsal match, which fully broke the barriers that once prevented Somali women from playing football.
Gelson Vernandes, the FIFA director for member associations Africa welcomed that Somali women are now officially playing football.
“We would like to extend our sincere congratulations to the Somali Football Federation for the activities organized, particularly to mark International Women’s Day. It is admirable to see such openness and to allow women to play and enjoy this sport. This initiative demonstrates a strong desire to promote gender equality and inclusion in football,” said Vernandes.
President of the Somali Football Federation (SFF), Ali Abdi Mohamed also praised the Women’s committee in the Federation of organizing the match to ensure women’s football officially starts in Somalia.
“I am really overjoyed that my long-standing dreams have become true. The futsal match was the start of a series of activities for the girls and young women who have been well involved in training programs for the past several months. Our aim is to see Somali women being fully active in the international football calendar very soon, added the President.
Ibtisam Yassin, the SFF head of Women’s football also said they are pleased that the department was able to organize a futsal match after several months of trainings and awareness workshops for both parents and girls.
“Our efforts paid off and we will continue organizing the awareness workshops for parents and girls plus the training programs, as this strategy has yielded positive results,” she added.
The head of Communication in SFF, Shafi’i Mohyaddin Abokar pointed out that having women’s football start in Somalia is a real sig of removal of cultural barriers.
“In Somalia, women have never played official football due to cultural barriers, as Somali parents never allowed their daughters to play football, because Somali parents recognized women’s football “the worst shame” and crime against Somali culture and religion, but after months of awareness workshops some parents have allowed their daughters to play the game,” added Abokar.
He also made it clear that now the awareness workshops are part of the SFF strategy to develop women’s football and overcome the cultural barriers that once prevented Somali women getting the opportunity to play the game.
FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup qualifiers
Ethiopia, Tanzania qualify for next stage of FIFA U-17 Women’s W/Cup qualifiers
Ethiopia and Tanzania have joined the three other teams from the CECAFA Zone into the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
The Ethiopian team that picked a 2-0 win against South Sudan in Juba a week ago in the first leg, humbled their opponents 6-0 in the return leg played at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa on Sunday.
Mihret Ayele netted a hat-trick, while Liyan Daniel picked a brace, and Sirya Teshome also scored one goal to ensure Ethiopia qualified on an 8-0 goal aggregate and will face Burundi at the next stage.
Serengeti Girls of Tanzania also silenced Botswana 3-0 in the second leg played at the Azam Complex on Sunday.
Bahati Steven netted a brace, while Harrier Juma also got her name on the score sheet to ensure Tanzania qualified on a 6-2 goal aggregate.
Tanzania will next face South Africa, while Uganda take on Kenya in the second round of the qualifiers. Rwanda who lost the first leg 2-0 to Zambia in Kigali few days ago will play the second leg on April 22.
The second round matches will be played between the period May 22-31st. Four teams from the African continent will qualify to play at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to take place in Morocco.
FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup qualifiers
Uganda, Kenya, Burundi advance in FIFA U-17 Women’s W/Cup qualifiers
CECAFA teams Uganda, Kenya and Burundi have advanced to the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
The Uganda Teen Cranes qualified on a 6-1 goal aggregate after defeating Zimbabwe 4-1 in the return leg of the first round match played at the FUFA Kadiba Stadium on Saturday.
Brendah Nassaka and Immaculate Acen gave Uganda a 2-0 goal lead after 34 minutes.
With the clock ticking away to half time Giovanna Aketogwanga netted the third goal after 43 minutes, but the visitors also pulled one back through Shantel Gwenhamo.
In the second half Retty Oseko Morra ensured she got here name on the score sheet to make it 4-1 for Uganda after 85 minutes.
At the Ulinzi Sports Complex, hosts Kenya thrashed Namibia 5-0 to qualify for the next stage on a 7-1 goal aggregate.
Brenda Achieng netted a hat-trick, while Emily Adhiambo and Elizabeth Opiya also got their names on the score sheet.
Burundi also eliminated another team from the COSAFA Zone seeing off Malawi 2-1 in the return leg played in Bujumbura on Saturday. Burundi qualified on a 4-2 goal aggregate. Kerene Nshizahabona and Louange Kezimana netted two first half goals for Burundi.
On Friday Rwanda lost 2-0 to Zambia in the first leg played in Kigali. Action continues on Sunday with Ethiopia hosting South Sudan, while Tanzania battle Botswana in second leg ties.
Four teams from the African continent will qualify to play at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to take place in Morocco.
The President of Kenya, William Samoei Ruto has praised the Harambee Starlets for finishing second in the just ended FIFA Women’s Series.
Kenya lost to highly ranked Australia 2-0 in the final played at the Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi on Wednesday.
Earlier India stopped Malawi 3-2 in a play-off to decide which teams takes third position.
“Well done, Harambee Starlets, on finishing runners-up at the FIFA Series Women’s Tournament,” said Ruto in a massage on his X platform.
The President made it clear that the team carried the nation’s hopes with pride, rising to the occasion and showcasing talent on the global stage. “Your performance throughout the tournament is a clear testament to your discipline, resilience, and growing strength as a team,” he added.
He advised the team to build on the lessons learned and the experience gained, and continue preparing with focus and determination for the challenges to come.
Kenya also used the FIFA Women’s Series to prepare ahead of 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
CECAFA U-17 Women Championship
Eight nations enter teams for season opening CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship
The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has confirmed that eight teams will feature in the season opening 2026 CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship 2026.
Tanzania will host the Championship June 13-23 in the Dar es salaam.
Yusuf Mossi, the CECAFA Competitions Manager confirmed that eight nations have confirmed participation.
“We received confirmation from eight Member Associations including Somalia and Sudan who will field women teams for the first time at International level,” added Mossi.
The eight teams that have confirmed participation include; Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti, Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia and Sudan.
“The tournament will also help teams from our Zone that would have qualified for the last stage of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers prepare better,” explained Mossi.
CECAFA will also organize five other tournaments that include the CECAFA Kagame Cup, CAF African Schools Football Championship CECAFA qualifiers, Africa Cup of Nations U-20 CECAFA qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations U-17 CECAFA qualifiers.
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