Uganda Cubs Secure U-17 AFCON Spot With Dominant Win Over Somalia

Uganda’s U-17 national football team, the Cubs, has clinched a spot in the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a decisive 4-1 victory over Somalia in the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers semifinal held in Kampala on Tuesday.

Under coach Brian Ssenyondo, the Cubs showcased exceptional form. Abubakali Walusimbi opened the scoring in the 45th minute, giving Uganda the lead at halftime. James Bogere doubled the advantage early in the second half and sealed the win with a stoppage-time brace after Somalia’s Ibraim Osman pulled one back in the 67th minute.

Tanzania and Uganda will automatically qualify for the U-17 AFCON, which will take place in Morocco from March 30 to April 19, 2025, thanks to the victory. Remarkably, Uganda has qualified under coach Paul Put to play in the senior AFCON later that year.

Uganda now joins heavyweights like Egypt, Senegal, and Morocco in the U-17 AFCON lineup, marking another milestone in their football journey.