Kenya U17 kickstart 2026 AFCON qualifier with draw against Somalia
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 18.11.25. | 18:57
The match was Kenya’s opener in the tournament, while Somalia had already played South Sudan in their first match, where they left it late to pick up a 2-2 draw
The Kenya national U17 boys football team, Junior Stars, were held to a 1-1 draw by Somalia in a 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Qualifier Group A match held at the Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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The match was Kenya’s opener in the tournament, while Somalia had already played South Sudan in their first match, where they left it late to pick up a 2-2 draw.
Having already played a match, Somalia showcased sharpness and were quick to settle in the opening five minutes against Kenya.
Somalia’s bright start almost paid off in the eighth minute when Abdalla Abdirahman latched onto a long ball that bounced into the hands of goalkeeper William Owino, but the forward headed the ball out of the custodian's hands and into the net. However, the goal was chalked off for a foul.
Kenya seemed to have been awakened by the scare and began asserting their dominance in the game after the 10th minute, creating half-chances through Nicholas Ochola on the left side.
Junior Stars earned two free kicks in quick succession, but the best was Ochola’s shot over the bar in the 17th minute.
Three minutes later, Derrick Wanyonyi also failed to find the target after getting to the end of a loose ball in the Somalia box from a Kenyan corner.
The Junior Stars’ efforts would finally pay off in the 30th minute. From a short corner by Ochola to Georgian Omondi at the edge of the box, the latter left his marker with a superb turn and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to break the deadlock.
Buoyed by the goal, the Junior Stars pushed to double their advantage, but none was forthcoming even as the halftime whistle blew.
In the second half, Somalia resumed a much more rejuvenated side and troubled the Kenyan backline as they pushed for an equaliser, which they got in the 56th minute.
From a quick buildup play at the back that beat the Kenyan press, Somalia launched a long ball behind the Kenyan high line defense that beat both Julius Buong and Nevil Wafula to find Anas Mohammed with the goalkeeper to beat.
With Owino onrushing to narrow the gap, the Somalia captain was calm to place the ball past the goalkeeper, which rolled into the back of the net for an equaliser.
With Kenya pushing for a winner thereafter, it was Somalia who almost took the lead in the 74th minute, but Mohamed Ali’s strike was ruled out for offside to ensure the teams shared the spoils at full time.
Kenya will take the hunt for their first win to Friday, 21 November, when they face Rwanda at the same venue from 1300 hrs.
