Somalia coach Daadir Amin Ali has set his sights on winning the CECAFA U-17 Championship after guiding the Ocean Stars to the final and securing qualification for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Somalia beat hosts Rwanda 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Kigali Pelé Stadium on Saturday to book their place in next year’s continental tournament.

Ali was pleased with his players’ resilience, having recovered from a goal down before keeping their nerve in the shootout.

“I am so happy that my players remained focused and came from behind to score and later win on penalties. We now go and prepare for the final against a strong Uganda team,” he said.

The 2022 CECAFA champions will face the Uganda Cubs in the final, but Ali wants his team to finish the job by lifting the trophy.

“Now, we want to focus on the next thing. Uganda is a strong country with good players and coaches. Inshallah, we are ready to go to the final and get that trophy,” he said.

After a goalless first half, Rwanda broke the deadlock when substitute Patrick Ujeneza dribbled past two Somali defenders before beating goalkeeper Khalid Nor.

Somalia responded four minutes later through Mohamud Osman, who capitalised on Rwanda’s failure to clear the ball.

Neither side found a winner in normal time, forcing the match into penalties. Somalia held their nerve to win 5-4 and join Uganda in qualifying for the 2027 AFCON U-17.

For Ali, the victory meant more than reaching the final. He said the achievement had lifted the players’ spirits and highlighted football’s power to inspire.

“You know, football is like motivation. The players are now very happy,” he said.

The celebrations brought tears to some players, a reflection of the emotions surrounding their achievement.

Ali also reserved special praise for Nor, who saved two penalties to help Somalia secure victory.

“Khalid, you saved the two penalties. What can I say about him? I want to say here, Khalid, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for saving those penalties,” he said.

“Without Khalid, we would not be in the final. He is young and has a future.”

The coach believes the young goalkeeper has the potential to reach the top of the game.

“He will be the best goalkeeper in the world,” Ali said.

Somalia will now face Uganda, who thrashed Ethiopia 4-0 in the first semifinal, in a bid to crown their qualification campaign with the CECAFA title.

Rwanda will meet Ethiopia in the third-place play-off on October 19, with the winner earning another chance to secure the zone’s third slot at the 2027 U-17 AFCON.