South Sudan and Somalia will represent the CECAFA region at the 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) showpiece in Algeria after the two sides stormed the final of the regional qualifiers on Wednesday.Somalia booked their first-ever ticket to the continental showpiece after shocking the regional reigning champions Uganda 8-7 on penalties after playing to a 1-1 draw in regular time in the first semifinal played at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa.Uganda Cubs took the lead with four minutes left to the break through defender Jamal Ssemwogere but Abdihafid Abdi ensured the two sides went into the break level with his strike two minutes later.Semi Final 1 Somalia 🇸🇴 U17 qualifies for the final of the tournament and U17 @TotalEnergies AFCON 2023 in Algeria 🇩🇿 FT Uganda 🇺🇬 1-1 Somalia 🇸🇴 (Pen 7-8 ) pic.twitter.com/SOnQ20h9tN— Cecafaonline (@Cecafaonline) October 12, 2022 With none of the two sides managing to break the deadlock, the tie had to be decided from the spot with all Somalia players converting their spot kicks as Arafat Nkoola missed his penalty.After sealing qualification, an elated Nur Mohamed Amin, Somalia’s coach, retaliated that his team is determined to be crowned regional champions.“I thank God for guiding us to the AFCON 2023. But we are still determined to win the title,” the coach said.In the other semi, Jonathan Ajoung gave South Sudan the lead after 36 minutes but Tanzania equalized with 19 minutes left in regular time through substitute Yassin Manage to see the match decided on penalties as well.FT South Sudan 🇸🇸 defeats Tanzania 🇹🇿 4-3 in a penalty shoot out . They have qualified for the final of the tournament and the @TotalEnergiesU17 AFCON 2023 in Algeria 🇩🇿 🇹🇿 Tanzania 1-1 South Sudan 🇸🇸 ( Yasin 71′ | Ajuong 37′ ) ( Pen 3️⃣- 4️⃣) #TANSSD #CECAFAU17 pic.twitter.com/nGsum4yo8t— Cecafaonline (@Cecafaonline) October 12, 2022 In the shootout, Felix Marial missed the first spot kick for South Sudan but all the others converted, with Adolf Hamisi and Manage failing to score for Tanzania.South Sudan’s coach Bilal Felix Komoyangi was excited about the achievement, more so considering the country’s age.“We are happy to make history today because South Sudan is a young country which is only 11 years old,” Komoyangi said.
