Kenya kicks off its TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON qualifiers against Tanzania in a crucial Group A match, aiming for momentum after Tanzania’s draw with Uganda. Later, South Sudan, after a convincing victory against Somalia, seeks to dominate Group B. The qualifiers involve six teams and will lead to knockout rounds starting December 24, 2024, with two finalists qualifying for the U-17 AFCON in Ivory Coast next year.
Kenya will commence its campaign in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers with a match against Tanzania on Wednesday. This Group A contest marks Day 2 of the competition, with South Sudan set to face Sudan later the same day at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala. Head coach Salim Bab Ndarai emphasized the significance of this opening match, noting the necessity of establishing momentum early in the tournament. “We know facing Tanzania will not be an easy task because they already played and drew 1-1 with Uganda. My players know what this opening match means to us and we shall go all out to try and get a win,” remarked Ndarai.
The TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, organized by CECAFA, feature six participating teams competing for qualification to the U-17 AFCON to be held in Ivory Coast. Following the withdrawal of teams such as Burundi and Ethiopia, the competition will take place from December 14 to 27, with all matches being hosted in Kampala, Uganda. The teams are divided into two groups, and the top two from each group will progress to the knockout stages. This tournament is essential for rising football talents in the region, providing them with an opportunity to showcase their abilities on an international stage.
To summarize, the U-17 AFCON qualifiers represent a crucial platform for young African footballers, highlighting the competitive spirit among member nations such as Kenya, Tanzania, and South Sudan. With the tournament well underway, teams will strive for top performance to secure advancement to the continental championship, with the knockouts starting on December 24, 2024. As the matches progress, coaches emphasize maintaining focus and treating every game as critical toward the ultimate goal of national representation at the U-17 AFCON.
Original Source: cecafaonline.com
