Uganda U-17s settle for silver after 3–2 final defeat to Tanzania
The final was a repeat of last year’s meeting, where Uganda beat Tanzania 2–1 in Kampala. This time, Tanzania started well and scored in the 6th minute.
Uganda’s U-17 team, the Cubs. File photo
AFCON U-17 CECAFA Qualifiers finals
Tuesday 2nd
Tanzania 2 Uganda 1
Top Three Teams Qualifying for AFCON U-17 2026
Tanzania – Champions
Uganda – Silver
Ethiopia – Third place, also qualify
Uganda’s U-17 team, the Cubs, on Tuesday 2nd settled for silver after losing 3–2 to Tanzania in the AFCON U-17 CECAFA Qualifiers final played in Ethiopia. Even with the defeat, Uganda still qualified for the 2026 AFCON U-17 tournament in Morocco.
The final was a repeat of last year’s meeting, where Uganda beat Tanzania 2–1 in Kampala. This time, Tanzania started well and scored in the 6th minute.
Uganda equalised in the 14th minute through Thomas Ogema. But Tanzania replied with two goals in the 30th and 35th minutes to lead 3–1 at halftime.
Tanzania’s goals came from Razack Juma, who netted twice, and Luqman Mbalasalu, who added the other.
In the second half, Uganda tried to fight back. The Cubs won a penalty, but Thomas Ogema’s kick was saved by Tanzanian goalkeeper. Uganda pushed on and scored their second goal in the 95th minute, but it was not enough.
Uganda reached the final after a strong 3–0 win over hosts Ethiopia in the semi-final. Tanzania also came into the final in good form, having won all their matches, including a 2–1 victory over Uganda in the group stage.
Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia will represent the CECAFA region at the 2026 AFCON U-17 tournament. The qualifiers featured ten teams which are Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Burundi, and Djibouti.