Somalia’s U-17 Team Prepares to Defend CECAFA Title Amid Financial Hurdles
Somalia’s U-17 football squad squared off against Algeria in a crucial Africa Cup of Nations match, their performance a testament to their determination on the field. Wearing their distinctive blue kits, the young Somali players worked tirelessly to thwart Algeria’s aggressive advances, showcasing remarkable tenacity and skill.
Mogadishu (AX) — In Uganda, the stage is set for the U-17 CECAFA qualifiers. Here, East and Central Africa’s burgeoning football maestros will strive to claim their spots in the prestigious 2025 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. Among these nine emerging football powerhouses, Somalia’s U-17 team is particularly noteworthy. They are on a mission to retain their hard-earned regional title, a victory that not long ago brought a fresh wave of optimism to Somali football scenes.
Slated to occur from December 14 to 28, 2024, the qualifiers are bound to be fiercely contested. Teams from Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Somalia are ready for a fierce showdown, with only two of them qualifying for the continental finals. Yusuf Mossi, CECAFA’s Competitions Director, stressed the necessity of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests to verify player eligibility before they depart. CAF will also conduct additional checks on arrival to maintain the integrity of this U-17 championship.
For the Somali side, the tournament brims with both hope and a deep sense of national pride. Their unforgettable triumph in Addis Ababa in 2022, where they bested South Sudan 3-1, wasn’t just a sports victory; it was a positive chapter in a land where soccer often serves as a unique thread of unity. This historic win also set the stage for Somalia’s debut in the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted in Algeria in 2023.
However, the path to glory in East African football circles is never a cakewalk. For Somalia’s U-17 team, financial woes have repeatedly posed challenges. The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has been grappling with monetary and organizational hurdles, which even led to the withdrawal of their senior team from the ongoing CHAN 2025 qualifiers.
These upcoming matches will test not just the skill of the young players but the bright dreams for Somali football’s future—a saga marked by previous hurdles. A star of the past qualifiers, Abdihafid Mohamed Abdi, shone brightly with his nimble tactics and goal prowess but was benched after an age verification issue. Regardless of such setbacks, the Somali team marches on.
Their journey is about unity more than just individual prowess. Despite having scant resources, the Somali Football Federation is endeavoring to create a sturdy platform to nurture its youth. Founded in 1951, the SFF has often found itself scrambling for funds. While it benefits from FIFA’s Forward Program, mainly to sustain its basic functions, there’s scarcely enough for crucial development and training facilities.
Security priorities in Somalia see the government allocating limited funds to sports, and the emerging corporate scene offers minimal sponsorships. Although contributions from the Somali diaspora sporadically fill some funding voids, they are unreliable. Allegations of financial mismanagement within the SFF have further sullied their reputation, with rumors of diverted funds and unpaid salaries swirling.
Despite its struggles, the federation sees regional tournaments as opportunities for growth and revamping the sport in Somalia. With the qualifiers nearing, Somali fans, both local and abroad, are brimming with anticipation. This championship offers them another chance to rally around a team that has thrilled with its unpredictability and heart.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
