ZONAL AFCON U-17 QUALIFIERS: Surprise package Djibouti qualify for knock out stage

The U-17 Sharks of Djibouti have this afternoon qualified for the semi-finals at the on-going Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) U-17qualifiers in Rubavu, Rwanda.

Djibouti picked their second draw in Group B to qualify as the second best team in the group. They held Rwanda to a goalless draw in their opening match.

After Tanzania opened with a 3-1 win against hosts Rwanda few days ago, many thought they would defeat Djibouti as well, but the Sharks proved they were up to the task and held the Serengeti Boys to a 1-1 draw this afternoon at the Umuganda Stadium.

The Djibouti team defended in numbers to deny the hungry Tanzanian strikers space to nick in the goals. However, after 33 minutes an own goal by Abdek Mouhoumed gave Tanzania the lead.

In the second half Tanzania returned strongly, but the Djibouti team showed a high level of defending to stop all the attempts. After 80 minutes Djibouti’s Moktar Djama Ali netted their first goal of the tournament from a long free kick that the Tanzanian goalkeeper Abdallah Hassani misjudged.

Tanzania’s star striker Omar Mvungi who netted a brace in the win against Rwanda tried several attempts at goal, but failed to get his name on the score sheet.

While the hosts Rwanda exit the competition, Djibouti will wait to face the winner of Group A in the semi-final, while Tanzania play the runner up in Group A on Sunday.

“I am very happy that after hard preparations we have made it to the semi-final. Now let us plan for the knock out stage,” said Djibouti’s coach Mohamed Ali Affasseh after the match.

Group B standing

                     P    W    D    L    F   A   D   Pts

Tanzania      2     1      1     0    4    2   2     4

Djibouti       2     0      2     0    1    1    0    2

Rwanda       2     0      1     1    1    3    -2   1