Kenya U17 have been eliminated from the CAF Africa Cup of Nations U17 CECAFA qualifiers following a 2-0 defeat to Somalia at Kigali Pele Stadium, Rwanda. Goals from Somalia captain Anas Isse Mohamed and Ahmed Caaqil Mohamed in either half condemned William Muluya’s Junior Stars to a second consecutive defeat after opening their campaign with a similar loss to defending champions, Tanzania.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsThe result left Kenya without a point after two matches, with a four-goal negative goal difference, bringing a disappointing end to their campaign in contrast to last edition’s semi-final appearance.Kenya approached the encounter needing a positive result to revive their qualification hopes, while Somalia were equally determined to collect maximum points and strengthen their chances of advancing.##NAJAVA_MECA_10027781##The Junior Stars started brightly, with Yussuf Mohamed trying his luck from distance six minutes into the contest after being picked out by Daniel Ombati. Somalia responded five minutes later when defender Mohamed Oday Ahmed rose to meet Abdirahman Abii Ahmed’s delivery but headed over the crossbar.Nicholas Ocholla subsequently came close for Kenya after combining with Malcom Myron, but the attacker lost his footing at a crucial moment, allowing Somalia to avert the danger.Kenya continued to threaten, with under-16 captain Alvin Midimo drawing a save from the Somalia goalkeeper in the 26th minute after collecting the ball inside the penalty area and firing towards goal.Gor Mahia coach admits to seeking mental health professional for players after tough pre-seasonOmbati also volleyed narrowly over as both sides traded chances, while Somalia threatened through Abdikadar, whose effort from inside the box drifted wide following a cutback from Anas Isse Mohamed.After a closely contested first half, Somalia found the breakthrough five minutes before the interval through their captain.Anas collected the ball just outside the penalty area, danced past his markers and unleashed a powerful, swerving left-footed strike into the roof of the net to give Somalia the lead.Somalia nearly doubled their advantage moments later when Aasif Mohamed Ali curled an effort towards goal, only for Kenya defender Brighton Moses to clear the ball off the line. Yanga issue injury update on Harambee Stars midfielderKenya returned from the interval seeking an equaliser, with Ombati missing an opportunity inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half.Byron Otieno also failed to capitalise on a loose ball around the edge of the penalty area, firing wide as the Junior Stars struggled to turn their attacking pressure into goals.Somalia remained dangerous, with Anas nearly extending the lead before Morgan Omondi produced a timely block to deny the skipper.Aasif Mohamed Ali also threatened shortly after the hour mark but failed to direct his effort on target following a set-piece delivery.Kenya pushed forward in the closing stages in search of an equaliser, but their attacking intent left them vulnerable as Somalia looked to exploit the spaces.Gor Mahia bank millions in ticket sales after first-night game in over a decadeThe decisive moment arrived six minutes before full-time when Ahmed Caaqil Mohamed produced a superb bent volley from a set-piece situation to double Somalia’s lead and seal the victory.The defeat confirmed Kenya’s elimination from the qualifiers, leaving Muluya’s side unable to reproduce the form that carried them to the semi-finals in the previous edition.
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