(DAR ES SALAAM) – South Sudan’s young female footballers made a winning start to their regional championship campaign in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, with a hard fought 1-0 victory over Zanzibar. The result places South Sudan in a strong position in Group B of the CECAFA Under 17 Women’s Championship, a tournament that offers vital international experience for youth teams across East and Central Africa.
The decisive moment arrived late in the second half. After 78 minutes of stubborn resistance from the Zanzibari defence, South Sudan’s Amou Seber found the net. Speaking after the match, Seber said she was pleased to score the goal that brought victory against a difficult opponent. The South Sudanese team had to remain patient throughout the contest, as Zanzibar held their defensive shape for much of the match.
This win gives South Sudan an early advantage in a group that also includes Uganda, who delivered a commanding performance on the same day. The Ugandan team defeated Djibouti 13-0 at the Azam Complex. Uganda scored their first goal within the opening minute and added a penalty ten minutes later. They continued to dominate, with several players contributing to the score line. Uganda’s head coach, Shryl Ulanda Botes, said she was satisfied with the team’s start and wants them to maintain that level throughout the competition.
The tournament, which runs from June 13 to June 23, features eight teams split into two groups. Group A includes hosts Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan. The opening day of Group A matches saw Kenya defeat Sudan in a match that ended early after Sudan suffered multiple injuries and could not continue. Kenya had scored 16 goals before the match was stopped. Tanzania also won their opening fixture, beating Somalia 4-0 to move into second position in the group standings.
Participation in this regional championship represents an important step in developing women’s football. The CECAFA tournament provides young players with exposure to competitive international matches, helping to build the foundation for future senior national teams. The financial cost of preparing and sending a youth team to a regional tournament is significant for a young football nation.
South Sudan’s next match is scheduled against Tanzania in Group A, while Group B action will see South Sudan continue their campaign aiming to build on their opening victory. The tournament also serves as useful preparation for teams involved in the final stages of qualifying for the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup. The CECAFA organisers have appointed an all female team of referees to officiate the matches, a decision that CECAFA stated indicates the region’s commitment to developing women’s football at every level.