Hiiraan Online
Friday, April 09, 2010
Djibouti (HOL)The Somali under 17 team took to the football pitch against Kenya in the first round of the prequalifying tournament of the CAF U17 tournament at Guled Stadium in Djibouti. Although it was technically a home game for Somalia, the game was played in Djibouti due to ongoing violence in Somalia.
The two teams displayed a high level of talent in a well balanced game. At the shock of most in attendance, Somali drew first blood with an early goal by Jabril Mohamed at 16 minutes into the game. Although the Somalis had many further opportunities to push their lead, the game remained 1-0 at half time.
Somalia did not slow out the gate and scored their second goal at the 56th minute. The fans in attendance were predominantly Djibouti and therefore showed their support for the Somalis, who now had a 2-0 lead. The Somalis continued to take the
game to the Kenyan’s with a cleverly worked corner that was headed by Mohamed Hassan Ali (Shino) which gave Somalia a commanding 3-0 lead.
Towards the end of the game Kenya was awarded a free kick with which they scored. That made the final score 3-1.
The pivotal win brings Somalia one step closer to the CAF- U-17 tournament in Rwanda 2011. Although they have a long way to go, the best four teams of the CAF will qualify for the U-17 World Cup to be hold in Mexico in 2011. Their next opponent is Egypt in the first leg of the qualifying tournament. That game will take place in late August.
The second leg of this round will take place in Nairobi in two weeks time.
This victory will definitely raise the morale of the team and the Somali people who typically do not receive good news from their homeland.
