The Uganda Cubs have qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025.

Coach Brian Ssenyondo’s team came from a goal down to defeat The Gambia 2-1 in a play-off played on Saturday at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Ahmed Njundu Kanyi gave The Gambia the lead after only 21 seconds at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida.

But the Uganda Cubs fought back steadily to level matters after 14 minutes through James Bogere. He capitalized on a good pass by Elvis Torach and shot past the Gambian goalkeeper.

After the goal the CECAFA U-17 reigning champions Uganda piled more pressure dominating play before they made it 2-1 after 33 minutes. Bogere scored his second goal of the night from close range.

In the second half The Gambia made some changes and threw everything at the Uganda Cubs defending line. But the CECAFA giants stood firm and absorbed the pressure well with goalkeeper Adrian Mukwanga also making timely blocks.

The Cubs also created some decent scoring opportunities through substitute Simon Wanyama and Richard Okello, but failed to score more goals.

It was all celebration after the final whistle as the Uganda Cubs booked a spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup to take place in Qatar. To reach this stage Uganda lost 5-0 and 2-1 to Morocco and Zambia in Group A of the competition, but beat Tanzania 3-0. It is the first time that a team from Uganda qualifies for a FIFA World Cup event and the first that a men’s team from the CECAFA Zone qualifies for a FIFA World Cup competition.

Africa was granted ten spots at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 to take place Qatar. The other African teams that have qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup include; Morocco, Zambia, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Tunisia, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Mali. The last slot will be decided in the second play-off match between Egypt and Angola.

Uganda Cubs are the winners of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA qualifiers.

Coach Brian Ssenyondo’s team came from a goal down to defeat Tanzania 2-1 in an entertaining final played at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala on Friday.

It was Abel Josiah Samson who gave Tanzania the lead after only 11 minutes. He received a good pass and dribbled past one defender before shooting past Uganda’s goalkeeper Edrisah Waibi.

The Uganda Cubs continued to press the Tanzanian team and created many scoring opportunities, but the Tanzanian defenders were up to the task.

After recess Uganda’s Arafat Nkoola’s header hit the post after 56 minutes. The Uganda Cubs continued to attack in numbers and their search for goals paid off when Nkoola nodded in a well taken Elvis Torach cross after 64 minutes.

The Tanzanian team fell back and defended for long spells of the match as Uganda intensified their search for more goals.

With the cloak ticking away James Bogere scored Uganda’s second goal from a tight angle past Tanzania’s goalkeeper Abrahman Nassoro after 89 minutes. T was also Bogere’s seventh goal in the tournament.

It was all celebrations for the local fans after the final whistle. “I am happy that the players continued to fight even after conceding a goal and win the match,” said a happy Ugandan coach Ssenyondo after the match.

In an earlier play-off match Somali beat South Sudan 4-2 in penalty shootouts after the match had ended 2-2.

The CECAFA first Vice President Augustino Madout Parek, Second Vice President Alexandre Muyengye and Exco Member Doris Petra, together with the FUFA President Moses Hassim Magogo and the Ugandan State Minister for Sports Petr Ogwang also attended the Awards ceremony.

Both Uganda and Tanzania have qualified to represent the CECAFA Zone at the TotalEnergies CAFA U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 that will take place in Morocco.

Tanzania’s Abraham Nassoro has been voted best goalkeeper in the just ended TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) – CECAFA qualifiers.

Nassoro who conceded three goal in the tournament was part of the Tanzania team that lost 2-1 to hosts Uganda in the final played on Friday.

“I am very happy to be voted as the best goalkeeper. This will motivate me to keep working hard,” said Nassoro.

In the other Awards Uganda’s James Bogere who finished with seven goals in the tournament scooped the top scorer’s Award, while another Ugandan player Abubakali Walusimbi was voted as the Best Player of the tournament.

Tanzania picked the Fair-Play Award.

The CECAFA first Vice President Augustino Madout Parek, Second Vice President Alexandre Muyengye and Exco Member Doris Petra, together with the FUFA President Moses Hassim Magogo and Uganda’s State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang graced the Awards ceremony.

Fair-Play Award – Tanzania

Best Goalkeeper Award – Abraham Nassoro (Tanzania)

Top Scorer Award – James Bogere (Uganda)

Best Player Award – Abubakali Walusimbi (Uganda)

Bronze Medal – Somalia

Silver Medal – Tanzania

Gold Medal – Uganda

Uganda and Tanzania have qualified to represent the CECAFA Zone at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco.

The two teams secured qualification on Tuesday after Tanzania stopped South Sudan 4-0, and Uganda saw off Somalia 4-1 in the semi final matches played at the Nakivubo Hamz Stadium in Kampala.

In the first match Tanzania took a 3-0 first half lead with goals by Hussein Mbegu, Ng’habi Zamu and Abel Josiah Samson.

After recess the South Sudan team tried to fight back, but still failed to dominate the Tanzanian team. Substitute Juma Abushiri made it 4-0 for Tanzania after 52 minutes.

Later South Sudan earned a penalty after 67 minutes after defender Idrisa Kilendewo handled the ball in the box. Tanzanian goalkeeper Abrahman Massoro saved Lazarus Peter George Laku’s penalty kick.

Aggrey Morris Ambros, the Tanzanian head coach said he was happy that his players have worked hard to qualify. “I thank my team for the work well done,” added Ambros.

In the second match the hosts Uganda dominated play to dispatch Somalia.

After missing so many scoring opportunities, Uganda Cubs took the lead at the stroke of halftime with a goal by Abubakali Walusimbi.

In the second half Anas Mohamed had a shot for Somalia that was parried out by the Ugandan goalkeeper Edrisah Waibi after 49 minutes.

But the Ugandan team cheered on by the home supporters continued to push forward and increased their lead with a goal by James Bogere after 58 minutes.

Later substitute Ibrahim Osman utilized his chance when he beat a Ugandan defender and pulled a goal back for Somalia after 70 minutes.

Somalia continued to push forward, but failed to score more goals, as the Uganda Cubs turned on the magic to score two more goals. In the last six minutes of added time Bogere scored two more goals to take his tally to six goals.

“I am delighted that the boys have worked hard and qualified for the U-17 AFCON and also reached the final. We now need to go back to the drawing board and plan for the final against Tanzania,” said Uganda’s coach Brian Ssenyondo.

The third and fourth play-off between South Sudan and Somalia, together with the final between Tanzania and Uganda will be played on December 27th, 2024.