Uganda edge Benin on penalties to reach CAF African schools football final

CAF African Schools Football Championship 2026

Semi-final:
Uganda 0 Benin 0 (Uganda win 5-4 on penalties)

Uganda booked their place in the final of the CAF African Schools Football Championship 2026 after edging Benin in a tense penalty shootout in Harare, Zimbabwe on Thursday.

The victory sends the East African side into Friday’s final, where they will face the winner between Morocco and Senegal.

Head coach Hassan Zzungu welcomed the result but admitted his team must improve their finishing.

“We are happy to reach the final, but we must improve our finishing. We created many chances today and failed to convert them, which could cost us against stronger opponents,” he said.

The starting line-up saw Imran Ssebbale in goal, protected by defenders Eze Kombi, Haruna Kisakye, Shafic Kitimbo and Elisa Mukasa. In midfield were Musa Kironde, Bashir Edema, Lucky Wanyama and Livingstone Kulata, while Owen Mukisa and Nabiru Kajumba led the attack. Mukisa came into the match as Uganda’s top scorer in the tournament with four goals.

Uganda, represented by St Mary’s Boarding Secondary School  Kitende, started the match on the front foot and dominated possession early on. Within the opening 10 minutes, they created over five scoring opportunities but were repeatedly denied by Benin’s goalkeeper, who kept his side in the contest with a series of saves.

In the 17th minute, Kironde attempted a long-range strike, but it was comfortably dealt with as Uganda continued to search for the opening goal. Despite their dominance and attacking intent, the first half ended goalless, with Uganda left to rue missed chances.

“We controlled the game in the first half and created chances, but lacked the final touch. That is something we must urgently address moving forward,” Zzungu added.

At the start of the second half, Uganda made a change with Vincent Kizza Mawanda coming on for Livingstone Kulata. Just four minutes after the restart, Kironde delivered a dangerous cross into the box, but Mukisa failed to guide it into the net.

As the match entered its final minutes, Benin mounted pressure in search of a late winner, but Uganda’s defence remained solid and organized. Zzungu then made bold tactical substitutions, bringing on goalkeeper Hamidu Kasumba and Frank Musisi specifically with the penalty shootout in mind.

“We brought on Kasumba for his penalty-saving ability and Musisi for composure under pressure. These were tactical decisions aimed at giving us the best chance in the shootout,” he explained.

With neither side able to score in regulation time, the match proceeded to penalties. Benin converted their opening spot kick, but Bashir Edema responded for Uganda. Kasumba quickly made an impact by saving Benin’s second attempt, before Eze Kombi gave Uganda the advantage with a well-taken penalty.

The shootout remained tense when both teams converted their subsequent kicks. Substitute Frank Musisi calmly slotted home Uganda’s third, but Elisa Mukasa later struck the crossbar, handing Benin a lifeline. However, Kasumba rose to the occasion once again with another crucial save, setting the stage for Akram Ssenyonga, who held his nerve to score the decisive penalty and seal Uganda’s place in the final.

The tournament, launched in 2021 by Patrice Motsepe under the Confederation of African Football, continues to grow as one of the biggest school football competitions in the world, attracting millions of young players and thousands of schools across Africa. Motsepe is expected to attend the final in Harare.

Winners in both the boys’ and girls’ categories will receive $300,000, with runners-up earning $200,000 and third place taking USD 150,000.