Djibouti has appointed Kenyan tactician Abubakar Ali the head coach of their U-17 and U-20 national teams.
Ali will be in charge of the development sides, tasked with the responsibility of nurturing young talent and building a strong pipeline for the country’s senior national team.
Ali’s appointment marks a return to the dugout after a period out of active coaching since October 2025, when he parted ways with Mogadishu City Club in Somalia following their CAF Champions League preliminary clash against Kenya Police.
Despite his relatively young age, the Kenyan has steadily built a reputation across the region, having previously handled Somali outfits Elman SC between 2024 and 2025 and Horseed SC, where he guided the side to an impressive second-place league finish.
His immediate focus will be on preparing the two youth sides for upcoming regional and continental assignments.
Djibouti’s U-20 team is set to feature in the AFCON CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers in Tanzania between 22 August and 6 September, while the U-17 side will compete in the AFCON qualifiers in Rwanda from 10 -25 October.
These tournaments will offer Ali a crucial platform to stamp his authority and begin shaping the future of Djiboutian football.
The U-20 side, popularly known as the “Shoremen of the Red Sea,” plays a vital role in bridging the gap between youth and senior football, making Ali’s role particularly significant in long-term squad development.
However, his task becomes even more demanding with the U-17 team, which endured a difficult campaign in the 2025 CAF U-17 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers, losing all four of their group stage matches and exiting the competition without a point.
At 28, Ali represents a new generation of African coaches rising through the ranks with modern ideas and structured training approaches.
He holds a CAF A License, the highest coaching certification on the continent
Born and raised in Eastleigh, Section 3, with strong family roots in northeastern Kenya, Ali’s passion for coaching began early at the age of 17.
He has since progressed methodically through the CAF coaching system, starting with D-level courses before advancing through C and B licenses, eventually attaining the elite CAF A qualification.
Beyond national team duties, Ali also serves as the director of Global Youth Academy in Kamukunji, where he oversees talent development and day-to-day operations.
His coaching philosophy centers on directness, clarity, empathy, and creating an enabling environment where young players can grow both on and off the pitch, qualities that Djibouti will be hoping translate into improved performances on the international stage.