The Uganda Cubs were edged by Somalia in the semifinals of the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

It ended 1-1 in normal time before Somalia won the encounter 8-7 on penalties in Ethiopia on Wednesday.

Jamal Ssimwogerere gave Uganda the lead in the 43rd minute before Abdihafid Abdi equalized for Somalia in the 45th minute.

Meanwhile, it is Arafat Nkoola that missed the penalty for the former in the shootouts.

Defeat for the Cubs ensured that they won’t be playing at the 2023 U-17 AFCON in Algeria.

It also meant that Hamza Lutalo’s charges failed to defend their CECAFA trophy won in 2020.

On Saturday, Somalia will face South Sudan, who eliminated Tanzania 4-3 in the shootouts of the other semifinal, in the final.

This also means that Somalia and South Sudan are the two teams that will represent the CECAFA region at AFCON in Algeria next year.

Uganda and neighbours Tanzania will also meet on Saturday in the third-place playoff.