Uganda Cubs suffered a 2-1 defeat to Panana U-17 team in their second match at the on-going U-17 Dubai Youth Challenge on Sunday.

Simon Wanyama gave Uganda Cubs the lead after 13 minutes at the Al Hamriya Cultural and Sports Club.

But the Panama side earned a penalty later that Gordon Gerson converted after 29 minutes as the match went into the break 1-1.

After recess the Panama team piled more pressure and scored again through Richards Moises after 58 minutes. The Uganda Cubs tried to push forward to find more goals, but failed to convert the numerous scoring opportunities.

“We have learnt some lessons from this match s we prepare ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup next month,” said Uganda’s coach Brian Ssenyondo.

Uganda settled for a 1-1 draw against Venezuela a few days ago. The Cubs will take on Paraguay in the last match on October 28th. The three teams in the mini Challenge are using the event to prepare ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup to take place in Qatar next month.

Tanzania’s Taifa Stars have suffered a 2-0 defeat to Iran in an International friendly match played at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai on Tuesday.

Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh gave Iran the lead from the spot after 17 minutes. Mohammad Mohebi had been brought down inside the area and referee pointed to the spot.

Taifa Stars tried to re-organise themselves and pushed forward, but failed to find an equalizer.

Later defender Ibrahim Hamd deflcted Mohebi shot after 26 minutes for Iran to go 2-0 up.

In the second half Tanzania made changes bringing on Morice Abraham for Feisal Salum, Lusajo Mwaikenda on for Israel Mwenda, and Charles M’Mombwa went off for Abdul Sopu who came on.

Substitute Alireza Jahanbakhsh later scored another goal for Iran, but it was ruled out for a handball.

Iran who are placed 21^st in the latest FIFA ranking had previously lost 2-1 to Russia in another International match played last week.

Tanzania also used the match to prepare ahead of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 slated for December 21 to January 18, 2026.

Uganda Cranes will play two International friendly matches against Cameroon and The Gambia during the FIFA International match calendar Window next month.

Coach Paul Put’s team will face Cameroon who played ay the 2022 World Cup on June 6^th, and later battle The Gambia three days later. The matches will be played in Morocco.

Uganda named a 26 man squad on Tuesday including 12 players from the Uganda Premier League, and 16 foreign based players.

The Cranes will also use the two international matches to test players ahead of the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

Besides Uganda Cranes, other teams in the CECAFA Zone like Rwanda and Burundi will also be engaged in International friendly matches.

The Amavubi of Rwanda will play away to Algeria on June 7^th in Constantine, while Burundi are also scheduled to play two matches against Mauritania and Guinea Bissua.

Uganda Squad summoned

Goalkeepers: Isima Watenga (Golden Arrows FC, South Africa), Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces FC, Ethiopia), Joel Mutakubwa (Bidco FC, Uganda), Hannington Sebwalunyo (NEC FC, Uganda).

Defenders: Elvis Bwomono (St Mirren FC, Scotland), Nico Wadada (Vipers SC, Uganda), Elio Capradossi (AS Cittadella, Italy), Arnold Odong (SC Villa, Uganda), Toby Sibbick (Wigan Athletic FC, England), Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC, Uganda), Jordan Obita (Hibernian FC, Scotland), Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Žižkov, Czech Republic).

Midfielders: Bobosi Byaruhanga (Oakland Roots SC, USA), Kenneth Semakula (Club Africain, Tunisia), Allan Oyirwoth (New England Revolution, USA), Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC, Uganda), Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC, Uganda), Allan Okello ( Vipers SC, Uganda), Travis Mutyaba (Bordeaux, France).

Forwards: Dennis Omedi (APR FC, Rwanda), Hakim Kiwanuka ( APR FC, Rwanda), Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC, Uganda), Rogers Mato (FK Vardar, North Macedonia), Steven Mukwala ( Simba SC, Tanzania), Usama Arafat (KCCA FC, Uganda), John Paul Dembe (AC Hacken, Sweden), Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa, Uganda), Ivan Ahimbisibwe (URA FC, Uganda)

Kenya’s U-17 women’s team picked a 1-1 draw against hosts Morocco in an international friendly match played at the Mohammed VI Complex in Rabat on Friday.

Defender Elizabeth Ochaka gave the Junior Starlets the lead after 60 minutes, but the hosts leveled matters through Mayssa Baha 13 minutes later.

The two teams will again face-off in the second friendly match on April 7^th at the same Stadium.

Coach Mildred Cheche are using the friendly matches ahead of a crucial third round qualifier of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup where they face Cameroon.

The Junior Starlets ejected Uganda 5-0 on aggregate in the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Kenya is seeking to book a place in the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup for the second consecutive time.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s senior women’s team suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Ivory Coast in an International friendly match also played on Friday.