Uganda Cubs triumph in 2025 Afcon U-17 qualifiers (Cecafa zone)

Share this

TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers:

Final: Tanzania 1-2 Uganda
Third-place: Somalia 2 (4) – 2 (2) South Sudan

Individual Awards:

Best Player of Tournament: Abubakali Walusimbi (Uganda)
Fair-play: Tanzania
Best goalkeeper: Abrahman Nassoro (Tanzania)
Top scorer: James Bogere (Uganda) – 7 Goals

Uganda U-17 national football team (Cubs) won the 2025 Afcon U-17 qualifiers (Cecafa zone) held at Hamz Stadium, Kampala.

The Cubs recovered from a goal down to out-smart Tanzania during the explosive finale played on Friday, 27^th December 2024 under sunny conditions.

Abel Josiah Samson’s early goal turned into a mere consolation after Uganda scored two late goals from stylish left winger Arafat Nkoola and magical forward James Bogere.

Uganda U17 national team players celebrate moments after the final whistle | Credit: John Batanudde

Josiah lit up the match with the opening goal in the 11^th minute after a venomous shot into the roof of the net past goalkeeper Edrisah Waibi.

Tanzania nearly doubled the scores through Josiah two minutes later but his shot off the lethal left foot razed off the cross bar.

Uganda made amends in the second stanza of the game with two beautiful goals from the industrious Arafat Nkoola and James Bogere.

Uganda U17 team players celebrate on the podium at Hamz Stadium Kampala

Nkoola beat goalkeeper Abrahman Nassoro from close range two minutes after the hour mark for the equalizer.

Forward James Bogere grabbed the man winner with three minutes to play for the priceless strike, his 7^th goal of the competition, to take home the trophy and golden boot.

Abubakali Walusimbi shows off his MVP trophy

Individual Awards:

Uganda’s midfielder Abubakali Walusimbi was named the most outstanding player of the tournament.

Tanzanian Nassoro was best goalkeeper with Uganda’s James Bogere as the top scorer with 7 goals.

The fair play trophy was taken by Tanzania.

Both Uganda and Tanzania qualified for Afcon U17 tournament that will happen in Morocco come 2025.

Meanwhile, Somalia secured bronze after a 4-2 post-match penalty victory over South Sudan in the third-place play-off duel. Normal time had ended 2 goals apiece.

Team Line Ups:

Tanzania U-17 XI: Abrahman Nassoro (G.K), Kassim Juma (Captain), AbdulNassir Makarani, Hussein Mbegu, Akram Shaaban, Ramadhani Kambangwa, Abel Josiah Samson, Elick Yusuph, Idrisa Kilendemo, Khamis Mbaruko, Razaki Mbegelendi

Changes:

46’ Ismail Likungilo ON, Razaki Mbegelendi OUT

55’ Zamu Ng’habi ON, Abel Josiah Samson OUT

60’ Juma Sagwe ON, Idrisa Kilendemo OUT

68’ Seif Hussein ON, Elick Yusuph OUT

68’ Juma Abushiri ON, Ramadhan Kambangwa OUT

Subs Not Used: Isaya Kasanga (G.K), Athumani Athumani, Hussein Seif, Juma Sagwe, Juma Abushiri, Ally Saleh, Hasan Kizinga

Uganda XI: Edrisah Waibi (G.K), Hamuza Sengooba, Brian Jjara, Elvis Torach, Steven Oyirwoth, Abubakali Walusimbi, James Bogere, Isima Magala, Richard Okello (Captain), Pius Oyirwoth, Arafat Nkoola

Changes:

55’ Enock Bagenda ON, Richard Okello OUT

65’ Simon Wanyama ON, Arafat Nkoola OUT

Subs not Used: Adrian Mukwanga (G.K), Ashraf Lukyamuzi (G.K), Marvin Musaazi, Marvin Kabiito, Travor Mubiru, Shakur Magogo, Thomas Ogema

Match officials: