Somalia have booked the second slot from the CECAFA Zone to qualify for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The 2022 CECAFA Zonal champions edged hosts Rwanda 5-4 in penalty shoot-outs after the second semi-final had ended 1-1 at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday.
After a goalless first half, substitute Patrick Ujeneza dribbled past two Somalian defenders and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Khalid Nor to give Rwanda the lead.
But 4 minutes later Somalia leveled matters with a Mohamud Osman strike after the Rwanda defenders failed to clear the ball out of danger.
In the penalty shoot-outs Somalia came out top 5-4 to qualify for the 2027 CAF U-17 AFCON to join Uganda who had already booked a ticket.
“I am so happy that my players remained focused and came from behind to score and later win in penalties. We now go and prepare for the final against a strong Uganda team,” said the Somalia coach Dadir Ami Ali.
Rwanda will now face Ethiopia in the play-off on October 19th with another opportunity to book the third slot for the CAF U-17 AFCON.
