Kenya will begin its campaign in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Tanzania on Wednesday at Nakivubo Hamz Stadium. South Sudan secured a 3-0 victory over Somalia, leading Group B. Coaches express the importance of every match, as teams vie for the top two spots to qualify for the AFCON in Ivory Coast next year.
Kenya is set to commence its journey in the Zonal qualifiers for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when they face Tanzania on Wednesday. The highly anticipated Group A match will mark Day 2 of the competition, which will also feature a Group B encounter between South Sudan and Sudan later that day at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala. Head coach of Kenya, Salim Bab Ndarai, emphasized the significance of this opening match, acknowledging the challenge posed by Tanzania, who previously secured a 1-1 draw with Uganda. He expressed confidence in his team’s commitment to striving for victory against their rivals.
In another notable match, South Sudan showcased their strength with a decisive 3-0 win against Somalia, taking the lead in Group B. Coach Nasir Yousif Hassan Bakit reiterated the importance of maintaining focus and treating every match as a final. Meanwhile, Sudan’s coach, Moatasem Khaled, conveyed preparedness and motivation among his players. The tournament, involving six teams, is scheduled to transition into the knockout stage on December 24, 2024, with the finalists advancing to the AFCON to be held in Ivory Coast next year.
The Zonal qualifiers for the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are being held in Kampala, Uganda. This competition features teams from the CECAFA region competing for two slots to qualify for the AFCON. Notably, Somalia is the defending champion, while South Sudan emerged as the 2022 runners-up. The tournament format includes a group stage, followed by knockout rounds, culminating in a championship match that determines the representatives from the zone. The event also serves as a qualifying opportunity for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
In summary, the commencement of the Zonal U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Kampala marks an exciting chapter for participating teams like Kenya and Tanzania, as they seek to establish dominance in the competition. South Sudan’s impressive victory sets a competitive tone for the tournament. Coaches from various teams underscore the critical nature of each match, highlighting their strategic focus on securing victories to advance. As the tournament progresses, the performances will reveal which teams successfully qualify for the prestigious AFCON in Ivory Coast next year.
Original Source: cecafaonline.com
