01/11/2025
Juba, October 30, 2025 —
The South Sudan Football Federation (SSFF) has confirmed that the national U-17 team is intensifying preparations ahead of the CECAFA U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers draw, set to take place in Kampala, Uganda, on Friday, October 31, 2025.
According to CECAFA Interim Executive Director Jean Sseninde, the draw will be conducted on Friday afternoon at the FUFA TV Studio in Kampala. A total of ten national teams will compete in the regional qualifiers, to be hosted by Ethiopia from November 15 to December 2, 2025, at the Abebe Bikila Stadium and the Dire Dawa Stadium.
Defending champions Uganda and hosts Ethiopia will be seeded as top teams in the two groups. Each group will comprise five teams, with the top two advancing to the semi-finals.
The participating countries include Ethiopia, Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Tanzania, Rwanda, Somalia, Kenya, and Djibouti.
As part of their preparation, the SSFF has organized MRI age verification tests for all selected players before departure to Ethiopia, to ensure full compliance with CAF competition regulations and uphold fair play standards.
South Sudan finished fourth in the previous CECAFA U-17 qualifiers, narrowly missing out on a place at the AFCON 2025 finals. With renewed focus and determination, the Young Bright Stars are aiming for a stronger comeback this year and a historic qualification to the continental tournament.
The SSFF continues to coordinate closely with the technical and medical teams to ensure players are physically and mentally ready ahead of the qualifiers’ kickoff in mid-November.
~ ERS
