SOMALIA U17 Profile
The Ocean Stars are back! Somalia are on the rise and enter the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations with the desire to surpass their performance in the last edition, when they did not make it past the group stage. With a largely renewed squad, the Ocean Stars are counting on the experience gained from their previous campaign to challenge the big teams in the category and nurture greater ambitions.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Third in the CECAFA U-17 tournament, Somalia took advantage of the expansion of the number of participating countries to earn their spot as draftees. After a semi-final defeat against Uganda, the eventual winner of the CECAFA U-17 (4-1), the Somalis won the bronze medal by beating South Sudan (2-2, 4-2 penalty), thus giving themselves the opportunity to participate in the 2025 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
COMPETITION HISTORY
For the second time in a row, Somalia is participating in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations. In their first appearance in this competition, the Ocean Stars finished in fourth place in Group A, with just one point. The young Dinii had made history by becoming the first Somali scorer at a U-17 AFCON, scoring a goal against Congo (1-1).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Farhan Isaq
His intelligence of the game and his vision of the field allow him to dictate the pace of the game and distribute assists. With a refined technique and an ability to recover balls, he plays a key role in the balance of his team. His maturity and ability to make decisions under pressure make him a valuable asset in midfield. Isaq also stands out for his stamina and defensive work, bringing stability and creativity to his team.
Sakariye Maxamuud
His sense of positioning and clinical finishing make him a formidable goalscorer, capable of scoring at any time. Maxamuud also combines great mobility with a dribbling technique that allows him to destabilize opposing defenders. In addition to his attacking qualities, he knows how to be altruistic, sometimes offering assists to his teammates.
COACH AND TACTICAL APPROACH
Known for his strategic vision and a well-defined tactical approach, Nuur Maxamed main objective is to build a solid, disciplined team capable of competing with the great nations of African football. It emphasizes fluid collective play, combining a robust defence and a creative midfield to support the forwards.
Maxamed favours a balanced style of play, where possession of the ball is key, while ensuring that his team can quickly go on the attack when the opportunity arises. He also values agility and mobility, encouraging his players to move without the ball, take initiative and be constantly on the move. On the defensive side, he insists on the importance of organisation and solidarity, with each player responsible for covering his teammates and remaining compact.
With his tactical vision, the Somali seeks to make the most of his players' talents, while preparing them to face the challenges of the continental scene. Its approach emphasizes continuous improvement and adversarial adaptation, aimed at strengthening Somalia's competitiveness on the international stage.
TOURNAMENT EXPECTATIONS & GROUP ANALYSIS
For its second participation in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON, Somalia is playing in a very competitive Group C.
Senegal
Reigning African U-17 champions, Senegal are aiming to retain their title and assert their supremacy in this category.
Gambia
The Young Scorpions are looking to prove to Africa that they have undeniable assets.
Tunisia
The Tunisian team, with its athletic potential and explosive play, is determined to measure itself against the big nations and to assert its qualities on the continental stage.