AFCON Qualification Campaign Kicks Off with a Stalemate

Kenya's U17 national team, the Junior Stars, commenced their 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification journey with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Somalia on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The opening Group A fixture of the CECAFA zone qualifiers, held at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, saw Kenya surrender a first-half lead, forcing them to share the points in a tense regional derby.

A Tale of Two Halves

The Junior Stars, coached by William Muluya, entered the 4:00 PM EAT kick-off aiming for a strong start to their campaign. After a cagey opening, Kenya's sustained pressure paid off. Midfielder Rayse Ochieng broke the deadlock in the 31st minute, giving the Kenyan side a deserved lead going into the halftime break. However, Somalia emerged from the interval with renewed determination. Their efforts were rewarded in the 56th minute when captain Anas Mohamed found the back of the net, leveling the score and silencing the Kenyan contingent. Despite chances for both sides in the remaining minutes, neither team could find a winning goal, resulting in a stalemate that leaves both nations with work to do in the competitive group.

Tactical Battle and Key Moments

The match was a close contest from the outset. Somalia had a goal disallowed early in the first half for a foul on Kenyan goalkeeper William Owino, a moment that served as a wake-up call for the Junior Stars. Kenya's goal came after a period of pressure, but Somalia demonstrated significant resilience, particularly after conceding. The Somali equalizer in the second half came from a well-executed play that caught the Kenyan defense off-guard. The result was a particular disappointment for Kenya's head coach William Muluya, who had emphasized the importance of securing a positive result in their opening match. For Somalia's coach, Daadir Amin Ali, the draw builds on their opening 2-2 result against South Sudan, showcasing his team's resolve.

The Road Ahead for Kenya

The draw places immediate importance on the Junior Stars' upcoming fixtures. The team is competing in Group A alongside the hosts Ethiopia, Rwanda, and South Sudan. With only the top two teams from the group advancing to the semi-finals, every point is crucial. The two finalists from the CECAFA tournament will secure the region's two available slots for the 2026 U17 AFCON finals. Kenya's next match is against Rwanda on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 1:00 PM EAT. This will be followed by a clash with South Sudan on November 24 and a final, potentially decisive group stage match against hosts Ethiopia on November 27. The team will need to convert their opportunities and maintain defensive solidity to ensure their qualification hopes remain alive.

Team Selections

Head Coach William Muluya fielded a strong lineup for the opening match. William Owino started in goal, shielded by a defense of Raphael Omondi, Julius Buong, Nevil Wafula, and Cosmas Masitsa. The midfield was marshaled by captain Armstrong Omondi, alongside Brighton Nacheri and Georgian Omondi, with Derrick Wanyonyi providing the link to the attack. Nicholas Ochola and Nathan Achola were tasked with leading the forward line. Somalia's starting eleven included Mohamed Ali in goal, with a defensive line of Muridi Abdi, Abdirahman Mohamud, and Abdiqafar Abdullahi. The midfield featured Bilal Yusuf, Mohamed Mohamed, and Anas Mohamed, while Abdalla Abdirahman, Ahmed Ige, Ashraf Mohamud, and Ahmed Ahmed formed the attack. Details on substitutions and disciplinary cards remain unconfirmed. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.