Somalia have kick started their TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers with a draw against Tanzania.

The 2022 Zonal champions held Tanzania to a 1-1 draw in an explosive Group C match played on Monday at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

Abdikarin Abdulkadir netted the fastest goal in the tournament giving Somalia a 1-0 lead after 1 minute. But the Tanzanian side reorganized and started to dictate the pace of the game.

After 24 minutes Tanzania were awarded a penalty after Ikram Yahaya was brought down in the box. Skipper Elick Yusuph made no mistake from the spot to level matters 1-1.

The two teams continued to create several scoring opportunities in the fast paced match, but the defenders and goalkeepers stood firm.

Somalia’s head coach Dadir Amin Ali praised his team for the good fight against a strong Tanzanian side. “Playing against a good team like Tanzania is not very easy. I am happy we managed to pick a point, now we prepare for our last match group match against Kenya,” added Ali.

The Tanzania coach Elieneza Nicolaus Nsanganzelu said that his team was not very sharp at goal after creating many scoring opportunities. “Let us continue working hard because we still have more matches to come,” added the coach.

The draw for Tanzania means that no team has yet qualified for the semi-final stage. All the teams that will advance to the semis will be decided on October 14^th when the last group matches will be played.

On Wednesday Somalia will face Kenya in a Group C tie, while Ethiopia battle Uganda in Group B, and Sudan take on Rwanda in a Group A encounter.

The semi-final matches will be played on October 17^th, while the play-off for third place and final will be played on October 19^th. The best three teams will qualify to represent the CECAFA Zone at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Group A

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Rwanda     1    1     0    0     1    0    1     3 

S.Sudan     2    1     0    1     3    3    0     3

Sudan        1     0    0    1     2    3    -1    0

Group B

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Uganda     1    1     0    0     8    0    8     3

Ethiopia    1    1     0    0     3    0    3     3

Burundi     2    0     0    2    0    11  -11  0

Group C

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Tanzania    2    1     1    0     3    1    2     4

Somalia      1     0     1    0    1    1    0     1

Kenya         1     0     0    1    0    2   -2     0

Ethiopia and South Sudan registered wins in their different Group ties on Monday at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

In the earlier match South Sudan came from two goals down to defeat Sudan 3-2 in a Group A match played at the Kigali Pele Stadium in Rwanda.

Anwar Abdalrahim gave Sudan the lead after 36 minutes at the Kigali Pele Stadium in Rwanda.

After three minutes Sudan doubled their lead after Radi Ahmed Salim slotted in a ball that had been parried back by South Sudan’s goalkeeper Aruei Mayom.

The hungry South Sudan team pulled a goal back before the interval through Samson Panuel. After recess Mobil Anyieth leveled matters for South Sudan from close range.

The Sudan team failed to contain the South Sudan attacks at goal before they conceded an own goal through Salah Ahmed after 77 minutes.

Ethiopia playing their first Group B match also brushed aside Burundi 3-0.

First half goals by Zemicheal Mintahel, Akrem Abduselam and Abdisa Gutema were enough to ensure Ethiopia collected maximum points to move into second place behind Uganda.

After losing their opening match 8-0 to Uganda and falling again to Ethiopia, Burundi become the first team to exit the qualifiers.

Tanzania could book a place in the semi-final if they stop Somalia in a Group C match later today.

Group A

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Rwanda     1    1     0    0     1    0    1     3  

S.Sudan     2    1     0    1     3    3    0     3

Sudan        1     0    0    1     2    3    -1    0

Group B

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Uganda     1    1     0    0     8    0    8     3 

Ethiopia    1    1     0    0     3    0    3     3

Burundi     2    0     0    2    0    11  -11  0

Group C

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Tanzania    1    1     0    0     2    0    2     3 

Somalia      0     0     0    0    0    0    0     0

Kenya         1     0     0    1    0    2   -2     0

Rwanda and Tanzania have collected wins in their opening matches at the on-going 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

The Zonal reigning champions Tanzania defeated Kenya 2-0 in a Group C match, while Rwanda saw-off South Sudan 1-0 in a Group A match, all played at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday.

Dismas Athanasi gave Tanzania the lead after 28 minutes, while Godfrey Somi made it 2-0 for Tanzania in the 57^th minutes. The Kenyan team tried to fight back, but tactically failed against their opponents.

Sultan Shamba, the Tanzania captain said they are happy winning the opening match against a tough opponent. “We now focus for the next match against Somalia,” added Shamba.

Kenya’s coach William Lukalia Muluya admitted that the Tanzanian team was way better than them tactically and controlled the game well. “We failed to play well against our opponents and now we must concentrate on the next match against Somalia so that we can pick a win,” added Muluya.

In the third match of the day Khalifa Shayaka netted the lone goal after 54 minutes to hand the hosts an opening win.

Rwanda created several scoring opportunities, but failed to finish. Jimmy Mulisa, the Rwanda Coach said it was important to win the opening match so that the team gets good momentum.

“I am happy that we are playing well and creating several scoring opportunities. Let us go back ad work on finishing,” added the former International.

The first match of the day saw Uganda crush Burundi 8-0 in a Group B tie. Action returns on Monday with South Sudan facing Sudan in A tie, while Burundi take on Ethiopia in Group B, and Tanzania battle Somalia in Group C.

Group A

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Rwanda     1    1     0    0     1    0    1     3  

Sudan        0     0     0    0    0    0    0     0

S.Sudan     1     0     0    1    0    1   -1     0

Group B

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Uganda     1    1     0    0     8    0    8     3 

Ethiopia     0     0     0    0    0    0    0     0

Burundi     1     0     0    1    0    8   -8     0

  Group C

                    P   W   D    L    GF  GA GD Pts

Tanzania    1    1     0    0     2    0    2     3 

Somalia      0     0     0    0    0    0    0     0

Kenya         1     0     0    1    0    2   -2     0

The Uganda Cubs have made a winning start in the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers.

Coach Laryea Kingston’s side humbled Burundi 8-0 in their opening Group B match played on Saturday at the Kigali Pele Stadium in Kigali, Rwanda.

Arnold Kayemba put Uganda ahead with a well headed goal after 19 minutes. Two minutes later he was on the score sheet again giving the Burundi goalkeeper Cedrick Niyukuri not chance from close range.

The Burundi team tried to push forward to try in search of goals, but skipper Elvis Irakoze had his attempts blocked. Arafat Ibanda and and Nicholas Kawooya netted two more goals for the Cubs for the first half to end 4-0.

Substitute Sebastian Fisher got his name on the score sheet after 73 minutes, while Junior Ofoyrworth made it 6-0 for Uganda three minutes later.

The Scotland based Fisher added two more goals to record his first hat-trick on his debut for Uganda.

“I am very happy with the win and the many goals the boys scored. We need to keep focused and prepare for our next match against Ethiopia,” said Uganda’s coach Kingston.

Tanzania was set to face Kenya in a Group C tie, while hosts  Rwanda battle South Sudan in a Group A match in the last match of Day 1.