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Tournament football, especially at youth level, is not only about winning matches. It is also about building confidence, learning structure, and developing a team identity. On a breezy afternoon in Addis Ababa, Somalia’s under-17 team showed exactly that. Their impressive 3–0 victory over Rwanda not only kept their CECAFA semifinal hopes alive, but also offered a rare glimpse of maturity, organisation and calmness that Somali football has often struggled to achieve.
Somalia entered the match unbeaten after four games, and they played with a level of control that made them look far more experienced than their age suggests. Lining up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 formation, they avoided the temptation to rush forward or press wildly. Instead, they focused on maintaining their shape, keeping the ball when needed, and waiting for the right moments to break through Rwanda’s tight defensive lines. This patience and discipline eventually opened the door.
Much of Somalia’s attacking rhythm flowed through Anaa Buuh, who started on the left but drifted centrally with great awareness. His positioning repeatedly exposed Rwanda’s weakness on the flanks. In the space of 20 minutes, he found himself in good positions twice — and both times, he finished with impressive calmness. For players at this age, such composure is rare, but Anaa showed confidence and intelligence that suggested real coaching and understanding behind the scenes.
His first goal came from a smooth passing move through midfield, ending with a perfectly weighted through ball that he guided into the bottom corner. His second goal was more opportunistic, coming after Rwanda failed to clear a low cross. But again, instead of slashing at the ball, he placed it carefully, showing admirable control.
Somalia’s third goal, scored by the hardworking forward Giridhi, arrived in the second half after a scramble in the box from a corner. It was not the prettiest strike, but it was the kind of determined finish that wins tournament matches. Sometimes, these messy goals say more about a team’s desire and presence than the cleaner ones.
Still, the most striking part of Somalia’s performance was not just the goals. It was the sense of structure and unity. The team stayed compact without panicking, defended with purpose, and moved together during transitions. These are the qualities that young teams often lack — the small, quiet details that show real development. For Somali youth football, which has long faced challenges in infrastructure, consistency and planning, this was a refreshing sight.
Somalia now sit on six points, collected through three draws and this important win. Their route to the semifinals depends on the result of Kenya’s match against South Sudan. A loss for Kenya would open the door for Somalia; a win would close it. Such fine margins are common in youth tournaments. But whether Somalia progresses or not, this performance holds value on its own.
In recent years, Somali football has often been talked about more for administrative issues than sporting ambition. Paths for young players remain uneven, and progress has been slow. But this U-17 team offered something hopeful — a sign of organisation, intent and awareness. They pressed with purpose rather than chaos, stayed disciplined, and showed that they are learning the deeper aspects of the game.
No matter how the final standings unfold, this display from the junior Ocean Stars will be remembered. It was measured, smart and quietly confident — a reminder that Somali football is capable of growing into something stronger, one thoughtful performance at a time.