ADDIS ABABA- Somalia’s U-17 National football team have clinched their first Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) title after trouncing South Sudan’s U-17 football team in a scintillating match at Abebe Bikila Stadium in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, on Saturday afternoon.
Somalia’s star player, Abdihafid Abdi, was quick to score the first opening goal in the 6th minute and slotted home the game’s third goal which gave Somalia an upper hand over their opponent.
Both Somalia and South Sudan teams failed to make a capital out of the numerous scoring opportunities they created albeit Somalia stars having had most of the opportunities.
The cheers from the blue clad Somalia fans energised the stars to pile pressure on the South Sudan side which ultimately made them emerge victorious.
Somalia’s boys had on Wednesday defeated Uganda’s U17 team 8-7 in a penalty shootout following 1-1 draw in the 90 minutes game.
Somali Minister of Youth and Sports Mohamed Barre Mohamud and other senior government officials were present at the stadium to give moral support and encouragement to the National U17 team who exposed to the World a marvelous performance.
Congratulations to our national under-17 team on defeating South Sudan 3-1 in the East and Central Africa Under 17 final in Addis Ababa. We're now in the first place for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria next year. #Somalia ?? is very proud of you. Hambalyo ?? pic.twitter.com/EqfisCBOWp
— Mohamed Bare Mohamud (@MoBareMohamud) October 15, 2022
Somalia’s Ocean Stars have now scooped a top slot in the TotalEnergies U17 African Cup of Nations 2023 Algeria – CECAFA Zone Qualifiers.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo have congratulated the U-17 National Football Team on winning of the CECAFAU17.
Waxaan si dhow ula socday ciyaaraha xulka 17 jirrada ee ku matalayey qarankeenna Isreebreebka heer gobol ee Bariga & Bartamaha Afrika. Waxaan shacabka Soomaaliyeed ugu hambalyeynayaa hanashada koobkan oo dhabbaha u xaaraya soo noqoshada wacdarahenii heer gobol & heer qaaradeedba. pic.twitter.com/APwQ4RtaHz
— Hassan Sheikh Mohamud (@HassanSMohamud) October 15, 2022
They termed the victory a historic one and heaped praise on the Somali stars for putting the name of the Horn of Africa Nation in World map.