MARRAKECH, Morocco —Uganda’s Under-17 national football team will make its maiden appearance at a FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 2-1 victory over The Gambia in a special playoff match on Saturday.
The Cubs, as the Ugandan team is known, fought back from an early deficit to secure one of the final two African slots for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. The match took place in Morocco as a contest between third-place finishers from the recently concluded CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations group stage.
The Gambia took the lead within the first minute through Ahmed Njudu Kanyi. However, Uganda responded in the 14th minute when James Bogere scored with a volley following a cross from Elvis Torach. The equalizer was confirmed after a review by the video assistant referee.
Bogere then netted his second goal in the 32nd minute. Torach was again instrumental, drawing a foul after breaking through on a long pass. The referee allowed play to continue, and the ball fell to Bogere, who scored.
Despite a disallowed goal for Uganda before halftime and late pressure from The Gambia, the Cubs held on for the 2-1 win.
This qualification marks a significant milestone for Ugandan football, as the U-17 squad becomes the first national team from the East African nation to participate in a FIFA World Cup tournament. A previous U-20 team had qualified but saw their World Cup canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Uganda joins eight other African nations – Morocco, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, and South Africa – in representing the continent at the upcoming global event. The final African qualifier will be determined later Saturday.
Uganda’s lineup for the match: Adrian Mukwanga (GK), Elvis Torach, John Owino, Steven Oyirwoth, Hamuza Ssengooba (C), Jovan Mukisa Nsereko, Ashraf Kyakuwa (Thomas Ogema, 57th), Isma Magala Mulala, James Bogere, Derrick Ssozi (Simon Wanyama, 57th), Richard Okello.
