U17 AFCON: Somalia looking to do the improbable in Group A final games

Somalia U17 team would be the perfect definition of an underdog - first timers for their country in a final tournament of a continental competition at any age level- and Friday night will present them another opportunity at more history as they face off Group A leaders Senegal in a crunch tie at the Mohamed Hamloui Stadium in Constantine, Algeria.

The East Africans on Wednesday secured a valuable point in the tournament when they held Congo to a 1-1 draw thanks to a lovely first half strike by Dini Mohammed. Friday night’s game however will be one tough duel.

“We came here to compete, not to participate,” Somalia head coach Nur Mohamed told CAF Online on Thursday ahead of the match. “We respect our opponents who are already qualified and whether or not they rest players, we are focusing on what we can do as a team. We are hopeful of winning and reaching the quarters.”

Group leaders Senegal have had smooth sailing in the pool; registering two wins over Congo and Algeria and despite them having secured a place in the quarter-finals, head coach Saliou Dia is not ready to let the foot off the gas yet.

“We are not here to change the team. We will keep the strongest squad,” Dia said ahead of the 2200 EAT kickoff. “We might change maybe one or two players who have yellow cards but for the rest, we will put in our best team.”

Olunga scores as Duhail lose to take title fight to final day

Senegal’s two previous qualifications in 2011 and 2019 all ended in the group stage.

In the other group fixture, second placed Algeria will face off with Congo at the Stade Nelson Mandela, hoping to bounce back from a damaging 3-0 loss to Senegal on Wednesday.

Fabrizio Cesana’s Congo on the other side were left to rue missed opportunities in their 1-1 draw against Somalia and the tactician believes the Friday night game will not only be a chance at redemption but a ‘do or die game.’

“We will do everything we can to win the match but we know we are facing a strong Algerian side. We have recovered well from the Somalia match and now the focus is on trying to get this important victory,” Cesana told CAF Online.

Congo are looking to replicate and probably better their best ever performance, when they reached the semi-finals and finished third in 2011.