Djibouti to host Somalia, Rwanda tie
Djibouti has been confirmed as the host for the Caf Under-23 Championship qualifier return leg tie between Somalia and Rwanda on May 9.
Somalia Football Federation (SFF) secretary general Hassan Mohamed Mohamud revealed the development to the Rwanda Football Federation (Ferwafa) on Wednesday following Football Kenya Federation’s (FKF) decision not to host the game at the Moi International sports centre in Kasarani, Nairobi.
The match will be played at the National El-Hadj Gouled Aptidon Stadium located in the city of Djibouti which was named after the first President of Djibouti.
Mohamud had earlier sent communication to Ferwafa confirming Kasarani as the venue but FKF secretary general Michael Esakwa on Monday noted that, “Arising from the security situation in our region, it is mandatory that we must get clearance from the Government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Also we wish to bring to your attention that on Saturday, 9 May 2015 the day you have requested for the match we shall be hosting the Botswana national team at the Nyayo National Stadium in the same competition.”
“We therefore [take] this opportunity to inform the Somalia Football Federation that in lieu of the lack of getting the necessary Government’s clearance, Football Kenya Federation is therefore regrettably constrained to host the above referenced match.”
Rwanda won the first tie 2-0 with goals from Yannick Mukunzi and Kevin Muhire. The winner of this tie will face Uganda and the team that emerges victorious from that encounter will face Egypt in the final round of qualification for the CAF Under-23 Championship slated for December 5-19 in Senegal.
The top three teams at the continental showpiece will qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
