Uganda Cubs stop Gambia to qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar

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.