Uganda Cubs Roar to AFCON Qualification with Thrilling 4-1 Victory

In a dominant display, the Uganda U17 national football team, the Uganda Cubs, secured their spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a resounding 4-1 win over Somalia in the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers semi-finals at the Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.

Under the astute guidance of coach Brian Ssenyondo, the Cubs showcased their prowess, with forward James Bogere stealing the show with a stunning hat-trick.

This remarkable feat propelled Bogere to the top of the scorers’ log with an impressive six goals.

Midfielder Abubakari Walusimbi contributed the fourth goal, cementing Uganda’s commanding victory.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for Ugandan football, as the Cubs will join the senior team, the Uganda Cranes, in Morocco next year.

The Cranes had earlier qualified for the 2025 AFCON in November under coach Paul Put.

The U17 tournament is scheduled to take place from March 30 to April 19, 2025, while the senior AFCON will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

Although qualification was the primary objective, the Cubs will now shift their focus to winning the CECAFA U17 title when they face Tanzania in the final at Nakivubo on Friday, December 27.