By Hanad Abdi - Reporter
MOGADISHU, 17 October 2026 Somalia’s national under-17 football team will face hosts Rwanda in Kigali on Saturday in a crucial semi-final of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) U-17 qualifiers, with a place in the final and qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations at stake.
The match is scheduled to take place at Kigali Pele Stadium at 4:30 p.m. Somalia time, with both teams competing for a place in the regional tournament’s final.
Somalia enter the encounter unbeaten in the group stage, having drawn 1-1 with Tanzania before securing a 2-0 victory over Kenya. Those results saw the young Ocean Stars finish top of Group C and advance to the semi-finals.
The team's performances have brought Somalia within one victory of reaching the final and securing qualification for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to be held in Morocco.
Meanwhile, Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Abdulkadir Ali, and the President of the Somali Football Federation, Ali Abdi Mohamed, widely known as Ali Shiine, who also serves as CECAFA Vice-President, have travelled to Rwanda to show their support for the national team.
Related articles
The two officials praised the young players for their determination and performances throughout the competition, encouraging them to maintain their momentum and intensify their efforts as they seek to reach the final.
They also emphasised the importance of representing Somalia with pride and continuing the progress demonstrated during the group stage.
The semi-final carries considerable significance for both sides, as the outcome will determine which team advances to the final and remains in contention for the regional title.
For Somalia, victory over Rwanda would not only secure a place in the CECAFA U-17 final but also mark another milestone in the country's efforts to strengthen its presence in continental youth football.
The encounter comes as Somalia's young players seek to build on their unbeaten group-stage campaign and take another step towards competing against Africa's leading youth national teams at the 2027 continental championship.