Cubs reach semifinals, set to face Ethiopia on Sunday
The Cubs had already secured progression before kick-off after Sudan defeated Burundi in an earlier fixture.
Courtesy photo
Uganda’s U17 national team, the Cubs, have advanced to the semifinals of the TotalEnergies Men’s U17 CECAFA Region Qualifiers after a commanding 6–0 win over Djibouti in their final Group B match at Dire Dawa Stadium on Wednesday 26th.
The Cubs had already secured progression before kick-off after Sudan defeated Burundi in an earlier fixture. That result brought Sudan level with Uganda on six points, but their negative twelve goal difference could not threaten Uganda’s positive twelve.
Second-half substitute Arnold Kayemba scored twice, while Thomas Ogema, Ukasha Jemba, Brian Olwa, and Ismail Fahad added one goal each. Fahad dedicated his goal to a departed relative named Faith, while team captain Owen Mukisa dedicated the win to teammate Michael Lwanga, who is currently unwell.
Cubs head coach Laryea Kingston says Djibouti was not a simple team to play and tried to frustrate them.
“It is one of those games where you see your team not starting very well, Djibouti tried to frustrate us,” he said.
“The game plan required Uganda to keep Djibouti in their own half, but we needed to break them early. With patience, we got the opportunity to start breaking them, though I was disappointed with our early approach.”
Kingston also spoke about the semifinal against Ethiopia.
“The Cubs are ready for Ethiopia. It will be an interesting game because they are the hosts, and although we expect a challenging match, my players are focused, motivated, and confident in their abilities,” he said.
Earlier in Group B, Sudan defeated Burundi 1–0 through a goal from Alamin Ahmed Osman. Uganda dominated Group B, scoring 20 goals and conceding only two in four matches.
Ethiopia topped Group A unbeaten after defeating Kenya 1–0 at Abebe Bikila Stadium on Wednesday. In-form Dawit Kasaw scored the lone goal in the 65th minute. Earlier, South Sudan edged Rwanda 2–1.
Uganda, the defending champions, finished second in Group B and will face Ethiopia in the semifinal on Sunday 30th, at Abebe Bikila Stadium. Tanzania, the only team to win all their matches, will play Kenya in the first semifinal. The champion, runner-up, and third-placed team after the final on December 2nd will represent the CECAFA Zone at the AFCON U17 tournament next year.
TotalEnergies Men’s U17 CECAFA Region Qualifiers
Wednesday 26th (Ethiopia)
Group A (Abebe Bikila Stadium)
Ethiopia 1 Kenya 0
South Sudan 2 Rwanda 1
Group B (Dire Dawa Stadium )
Uganda 6 Djibouti 0
Sudan 1 Burundi 0
Group A Table
Ethiopia – 10pts
Kenya – 7 pts
Somalia – 6 pts
South Sudan – 4 pt
Rwanda – 0 pts
Group B Table
Tanzania – 12pts
Uganda – 9 pts
Sudan – 6 pts
Burundi – 3 pts
Djibouti – 0 pts
Semi finals
Sunday 30th (Abebe Bikila Stadium)
Tanzania v Kenya
Ethiopia v Uganda