Uganda Cubs seal back-to-back U-17 World Cup qualification

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U-17 World Cup Qualifiers

Uganda 2-2 Ghana

Penalties: Uganda 8-7 Ghana

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Uganda’s U-17 national team coach, Laryea Kingston, said his side believed in themselves after sealing qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.

Uganda defeated Ghana 8-7 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in a dramatic TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations playoff match in Morocco.

“Ghana was by far the better team today and could have scored more goals, but the good thing was the Uganda players showed fighting spirit and kept going,” Kingston said.

Uganda defeated Ghana 8-7 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in a dramatic TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations playoff match in Morocco. (Courtesy photo)

Uganda came from behind twice in the match. Ghana took the lead in the first half, but Uganda responded through Owen Mukisa, who equalised with a direct corner kick.

The Black Starlets regained the lead later in the game, but Uganda refused to give up. Deep into added time, the Cubs were awarded a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a handball inside the box. Arafat Ibanda calmly converted in the 91st minute to make it 2-2 and force penalties.

“Of course, you think you can do better, but we were defending for large parts of the game. It is really hard against this team, but we didn’t give up, and that is why we still have a chance to go to the World Cup,” he said.

Kingston also explained his tactical approach, saying discipline was key against Ghana’s wide attacking threat.

“We had to adjust because of their wide players. If we were too open, it could have been dangerous for us. So the boys had to stay compact and disciplined,” he added.

In the shootout, both teams matched each other kick for kick in a tense contest. Ghana captain Joseph Nabbi scored first before Uganda replied through John Owino. Ghana converted their second penalty, and Henry Muhoozi kept Uganda level.

Abdul Latif scored Ghana’s third, while Abdul Shakur Babi responded for Uganda. The contest remained tight as both sides continued to convert, with Brian Olo, Ibanda Arafat and Musa Suna all scoring to take the shootout into sudden death.

Uganda defeated Ghana 8-7 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in a dramatic TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations playoff match in Morocco. (Courtesy photo)

The decisive moment came when Uganda goalkeeper Ashraf Lukyamuzi saved Ghana’s next penalty, giving Uganda the chance to win. Travor Mubiru stepped forward and calmly scored to seal qualification.

Kingston praised his players for their mental strength.

“Penalty shootouts are about mentality. The players showed courage, and that is why we achieved this qualification,” he said.

Uganda reached the playoffs after finishing third in Group B with four points behind Ivory Coast and Cameroon, while Ghana finished third in Group D behind Senegal and Algeria.

Uganda had earlier qualified for the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations through the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers, finishing runners-up to Tanzania. They beat Burundi 4-0, Sudan 9-0 and Djibouti 6-0 before defeating Ethiopia 3-0 in the semi-finals and later losing 2-1 to Tanzania in the final.

The Cubs’ qualification confirms back-to-back FIFA U-17 World Cup appearances after reaching the Round of 16 in their maiden appearance last year under coach Brian Ssenyondo.

At last year’s tournament, Uganda beat Senegal 1-0, stunned France 1-0, drew 1-1 with Chile and lost 2-1 to Canada before exiting on penalties to Burkina Faso.

Players like James Bogere, who scored against France and Canada, have since turned professional with Danish side AGF, where he won the Danish Superliga title in his debut season. He is also part of the Uganda Cranes setup under coach Paul Put ahead of upcoming friendlies against Tanzania and Madagascar in Morocco.

Uganda now joins Mozambique, Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Tanzania and Algeria as African teams qualified for the expanded 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.