A new milestone was reached in Somali women's football after the national under-17 team secured the country's first-ever victory in a regional competition, defeating Sudan 8-2 in their final Group A match at the CECAFA U-17 Women's Championship in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The victory marked a breakthrough for Somalia's women’s programme and provided a memorable conclusion to the team’s campaign. Although the Ocean Queens had already been eliminated from contention for the knockout stage, they produced their strongest performance to record a result that will be remembered in the country’s football history.
Somalia delivered an attacking display at KMC Stadium, scoring eight goals against fellow debutants Sudan. Forward Nagma Mohamed led with a hat-trick, while Sundus Mohamed struck twice. Hibo Salad, Halimo Isse, and Maryan Osoble also found the net as Somalia registered its highest-scoring performance of the championship.
Sudan’s goals came through Nashwa Abbas and Fatin Fadol, but they were unable to stop Somalia from claiming a convincing win in the final group-stage encounter.
Nagma Mohamed, named player of the match after scoring three goals, expressed her delight following the historic result.
"I am very happy that I scored three goals today. This will motivate me to keep working hard," she said.
The result represented a major turnaround for the young Somali side, which had endured a difficult start. In their opening match, Somalia suffered a 4-0 defeat against hosts Tanzania before losing 6-0 to Kenya in their second fixture. Those back-to-back defeats ended their hopes of progressing further.
Despite those setbacks, the team showed determination in its final match, producing a performance that highlighted its attacking potential. The players maintained pressure throughout and converted their chances to finish the tournament with a historic victory.
The CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship brought together emerging talents and offered young players valuable international experience. For Somalia, the competition served as an important platform to continue developing women’s football and exposing players to regional competition.
The win over Sudan has been welcomed by Somali supporters, many of whom view the result as a sign of progress for the women’s game. For years, women’s football in Somalia has faced challenges, including limited opportunities for competitive matches and development pathways. The success achieved in Dar es Salaam is therefore seen as an encouraging step.
The Ocean Queens entered the tournament seeking experience and growth, and while they were unable to advance beyond the group stage, their final performance demonstrated resilience and commitment. Scoring eight goals in a single match provided evidence of the team’s ability to compete and improve despite earlier disappointments.
For players, coaches, and supporters, the victory carries significance beyond the scoreline. It establishes a benchmark for future Somali women’s teams and offers encouragement to young girls across the country who aspire to represent Somalia internationally.
Although Somalia’s journey at this year’s CECAFA U-17 Women’s Championship ended in the group phase, the team departed Tanzania having achieved something no Somali women’s national side had previously accomplished in a regional competition. Their 8-2 victory over Sudan will stand as a landmark moment in Somali women’s football and a foundation for future generations to build upon.
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