Thursday November 28, 2024
Somalia’s U-17 team celebrates their groundbreaking victory in the 2022 CECAFA Championship, defeating South Sudan 3-1 to secure their first-ever regional title. A proud milestone for Somali football. CREDIT / CAF Football
Mogadishu (HOL) — The defending champions of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Somalia, will face a challenging path in the CECAFA qualifiers as they prepare to take on regional rivals Kenya, South Sudan, and Sudan in Group B.
The tournament, scheduled for December 14-27, 2024, will be hosted in Uganda, with matches at the Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo and St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende. Group A features hosts Uganda alongside Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Burundi.
Jean Namayega Sseninde, CECAFA Women’s Football Development Manager, conducted the draw, expressing confidence in the tournament’s potential to showcase rising talent. “We expect a very competitive tournament with the youngsters expressing themselves as much as possible,” she noted.
Somalia enters the competition as the reigning champions, having defeated South Sudan 3-1 in the 2022 final held in the high altitude of Addis Ababa. Their performance cemented their reputation as a growing footballing power in the region, and they will look to build on the success that brought unprecedented pride to Somali football.
The program’s success owes much to its efforts in nurturing local talent and drawing on the Somali diaspora in Sweden, Norway, and Canada.
Participation in the 2023 U-17 AFCON in Algeria further underscored the team’s progress. Although they struggled against established footballing nations like Algeria, the experience provided critical exposure to high-level competition.
Somalia’s withdrawal from the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2025 qualifiers serves as a stark reminder of the fragile infrastructure underpinning the nation’s football ambitions.
Despite its long history, the Somalia Football Federation (SFF) remains hampered by limited funding, relying on FIFA and CAF grants alongside irregular contributions from the Somali diaspora. These resources are stretched thin, often covering basic operations while neglecting player development and infrastructure. Allegations of mismanagement and corruption have further eroded trust, with reports of funds meant for grassroots programs diverted to administrative costs.
Yet, even against this backdrop, Somalia’s U-17 program offers a glimpse of hope. Their triumph in the 2022 CECAFA championship, built on a mix of local talent and contributions from the Somali diaspora, signaled the potential for growth in a beleaguered system. However, such achievements remain precarious, as the financial and administrative struggles of the SFF cast a long shadow over future success.
Kenya, meanwhile, will be aiming to upset the defending champions. Head coach Salim Babu leads a technical team determined to guide the team to one of the two coveted spots in the 2025 U-17 AFCON finals. “Preparation is key,” Babu stated, emphasizing Kenya’s focus on disciplined training and adherence to CECAFA regulations.
The tournament will adopt a round-robin format in the group stage, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The finalists will automatically qualify for the 2025 U-17 AFCON.
In a bid to curb age-cheating, all players will undergo mandatory Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests before travelling to Uganda. CECAFA Competitions Director Yusuf Mossi reiterated the importance of this policy in ensuring fair competition.
Group A comprises hosts Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Burundi.
The 2024 CECAFA qualifiers will feature a round-robin format in the group stages, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The finalists will secure places at the 2025 U-17 AFCON, a crucial stepping stone for young players aspiring to professional careers.
For Somalia, the task is clear: replicate the disciplined performances that saw them dominate in 2022 while adapting to the pressures of being defending champions. The group stage clash against Kenya, in particular, is expected to be a highlight, as both teams have much to prove.