Uganda Cubs qualify for the U17 Africa Cup of Nations 2019

Come 2019, Uganda cubs will for the very first time be representing the country in the U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Tanzania.

The youngsters kicked off the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in the CECAFA region on a losing note, falling 1-0 to Ethiopia at the Chamazi stadium in Dar-es-salaam.

The Cubs had lost the services of their three key players who included Elvis Ngondwe(midfielder) George Oluka (goalkeeper) and Joseph Kafumbe (defender).

The trio failed the mandatory Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests that ruled them overaged for the competition.

After losing the opening game, the cubs went on to win all their games. They went on to thrash South Sudan 6-1, beat Kenya 3-1, walloped Djibouti 8-0, saw off hosts Tanzania 3-1 in the semifinals and  beat Ethopia 3-1  in the finals on Sunday.

Samson Kasozi opened the score for Uganda in the 15th minutes and Abdul Wahad Iddi was to score a brace in the second half to make it 3-0. Ethiopia however scored a late consolation goal through Wondimagegn Bunaro from the penalty spot to end the game 3-1.

The Cubs now qualify for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations that will take place from May 12 -26 in neighbouring Tanzania.

The four top teams at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Peru in October 2019.