Uganda defeats Tanzania to win U-17 AFCON CECAFA qualifiers

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.