Somalia defeats Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda once again making history

Somalia beats Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda while once again making history

The under-17 football team of Somalia has once again made a significant mark in the CECAFA U17 tournament which is being hosted this year by Rwanda.

Somalia played against the under-17 team of Rwanda in the semifinals of the tournament in a match held at the Kigali Pele stadium.

The first half of the match ended in a goalless draw. However, when the second half resumed, Rwandan substitute player Patrick Ujeneza bypassed two defenders playing in the middle for Somalia and, after jumping over goalkeeper Khaalid Nuur, scored a goal for his team, taking the lead in the second half.

However, four minutes later, Somalia equalized the match, with the goal scored by Maxamuud Cismaan, after the Rwandan defenders failed to clear the ball from the danger area.

This draw led to a penalty shootout, which Somalia won 5-4, securing their qualification for the CAF U-17 AFCON tournament in 2027, where they will join Uganda, who had already secured their spot.

The coach of the under-17 football team of Somalia, Daadir Amiin Cali, speaking to the BBC, stated that the players and the entire team are showing a visible spirit of positivity where they are.

"It is truly a great joy for me to lead Somalia today under the name of Somalia and bring home a final victory, I am very happy with the cooperation that has been achieved, our feelings are beyond measure for me, my players, and my coaches," coach of the Somalia U17 team Daadir Amiin Cali told the BBC.

Speaking about the match between Rwanda, which is hosting the CECAFA U17 games, he noted that despite the support from the crowd in the stadium and the Rwandan players playing at home, the Somali players showed high morale and did not lose heart.

Somalia has previously qualified for the U17 football teams from Tanzania, Kenya, and Rwanda to reach the finals.

The two victories that Somalia achieved last night

The match between Rwanda and Somalia represented two victories for Somalia, "Once we reached the final match, we qualified for the CAF U-17 AFCON tournament in 2027, which will be held in Morocco, so it was a major achievement for us," coach Daadir told the BBC.