Uganda Cubs’ World Cup Dream Hangs by a Thread After Heartbreaking Loss to Zambia.

The Uganda Cubs’ dream of qualifying directly for the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar was painfully dashed after a narrow 2-1 defeat to Zambia in their final Group A clash at the ongoing AFCON U17 tournament in Morocco.

Zambia struck first from Kelvin Chipelu capitalized on a defensive mix-up in the 20th minute to give his side the lead. A miscommunication between goalkeeper Adrian Mukwanga and his defender gifted Chipelu an easy tap-in.

But Uganda wasn’t going down without a fight. Elvis Torach brought the Cubs back into the game with a swift equalizer just after the break, leveling the score at 1-1.

Photo Credit: FUFA
Uganda U17 vs Zambia 17

In a dramatic turn of events, Zambia earned a penalty in the 67th minute. Billy Daka, who had just come on as a substitute, stepped up… but Mukwanga stood tall, saving the penalty and keeping Uganda’s hopes alive!

Emotions ran high for Daka, but redemption was written in the stars — the Zambian forward returned in the 86th minute to score the winning goal, breaking Ugandan hearts.

Final Group A Standings:

Morocco – 7 pts

Zambia – 7 pts

Uganda – 3rd place

Tanzania – 0 pts

With Morocco and Zambia sealing their spots at the 2025 U17 FIFA World Cup, Uganda’s journey isn’t over yet. The Cubs will now head to the playoffs, where they will face off against the 3rd-placed team from Group C — Senegal, Gambia, or Tunisia — for one final shot at glory.

Uganda Starting XI:
Adrian Mukwanga (GK), Richard Okello (C), Joseph Langol, Hamuza Sengooba, Elvis Torach, James Bogere, Isima Mulala Magala, Steven Oyirwoth, Simon Wanyama, John Brian Owino, Ashraf Kyakuwa.