Uganda national under-17 football team

Uganda U-17 national football team
NicknameThe Cubs
AssociationFederation of Uganda Football Associations
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coach Samuel Fabin
CaptainGavin Kizito
Home stadiumMandela National Stadium
FIFA codeUGA
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
First international
Uganda  0–1  South Sudan
(Kampala, Uganda; 6 June 1991)
Biggest win
Djibouti  0–8  Uganda
(Dar es Salam, Tanzania; 22 August 2018)
Biggest defeat
Morocco  5–0  Uganda
(Mohammedia, Morocco; 30 March 2025)
U-17 Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances2 (first in 2019)
Best resultGroup stage (2019, 2025)
CECAFA U-17 Championship
Appearances5 (first in 2007)
Best resultChampions (2018, 2020)
FIFA U-17 World Cup
Appearances1 (first in 2025)
Best resultRound of 16 (2025)

The Uganda national under-17 football team (nicknamed The Cubs), represents Uganda in men's under-17 international football and is controlled by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations, which is a part of CAF.[1][2][3][4][5]

History

The Uganda national under-17 scored its first goal in the FIFA U-17 World Cup on 5 November 2025 in Qatar. The Uganda national under-17 football team, known as the Uganda Cubs, recently made history as the first Ugandan team to reach the knockout stages of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November 2025.

For the first time in history, Uganda secured a victory in a FIFA World Cup match. James Bogere's early goal enabled the Uganda Cubs to surprise France with a 1-0 win and move on to the knockout rounds of the U-17 tournament.[6] It is currently coached by Brain Ssenyondo.

Breakthrough: 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup

The 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar marked a historic milestone for Ugandan football. On 12 April 2025, Uganda secured qualification for the tournament, the first time any Ugandan team at any level has qualified for a FIFA World Cup event, by defeating The Gambia 2-1 in a playoff following the 2025 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nation.[7]

The team's participation galvanized support at home and FUFA organised a homecoming ceremony in Entebe to honour the squad's achievement.[8]

Style and Impact

The Cubs are recognised for their attacking play and tactical discipline. Their recent successes reflect the growth of youth football structures in Uganda and underscore FUFA's focus on long-term development including coaching education, youth competition and international exposure.[9]

Players

The following players were called up for the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.[10]

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Club
1 1GK Adrian Mukwanga (2010-05-25)25 May 2010 (aged 14) Vipers SC
2 2DF Jovan Mukisa (2009-05-29)29 May 2009 (aged 15) NEC FC
3 2DF Hamuza Sengooba (2008-02-02)2 February 2008 (aged 17) Masaka Sunshine FC
4 3MF Ethan Oyedele (2008-07-09)9 July 2008 (aged 16) Bradfield College
5 3MF Joseph Lamgol (2009-11-01)1 November 2009 (aged 15) Paorhinar Soccer Academy
6 2DF Elvis Torach (2008-02-25)25 February 2008 (aged 17) Masaka Sunshine FC
7 3MF Derick Szozi (2008-06-01)1 June 2008 (aged 16) Fort Portal Tax Operators FC
8 3MF Thomas Ogema (2009-05-27)27 May 2009 (aged 15) KCC FC
9 4FW James Bogere (2008-02-02)2 February 2008 (aged 17) Masaka Sunshine FC
10 3MF Isma Mangala (2009-07-28)28 July 2009 (aged 15) Masaka Sunshine FC
11 4FW Richard Okello (2008-03-27)27 March 2008 (aged 17) Bul FC
12 2DF Steven Oyirwoth (2009-09-24)24 September 2009 (aged 15) KCC FC
13 2DF Trabor Mubiru (2010-07-15)15 July 2010 (aged 14) Vipers SC
14 4FW Simon Wanyama (2009-12-20)20 December 2009 (aged 15) Bukedea Comephensive
15 4FW Shakur Magogo (2008-12-15)15 December 2008 (aged 16) Namilyango College
16 2DF John Owino (2009-06-05)5 June 2009 (aged 15) Express FC
17 3MF Marvin Kabito (2008-12-03)3 December 2008 (aged 16) Vipers SC
18 1GK Muhamad Masabo (2010-12-10)10 December 2010 (aged 14) Lugazi FC
19 1GK Archaf Lukyamuzi (2009-12-25)25 December 2009 (aged 15) KCCA FC
20 3MF Ashraf Kyakuwa (2010-06-10)10 June 2010 (aged 14) Vipers SC
21 4FW Abdul Ntege (2010-01-01)1 January 2010 (aged 15) Maroons FC

Recent results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results from the previous 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Loss   Void or Postponed   Fixtures

2024

15 December 2024 CECAFA U-17 Championship Group A Uganda  1–1  Tanzania Kampala, Uganda
16:00 UTC+3
  • Magala 58'
 Report
  • Ally 19'
 Stadium: Nakivubo Hamz Stadium
21 December 2024 CECAFA U-17 Championship Group A Uganda  5–0  Kenya Kampala, Uganda
16:00 UTC+3
  • Bogere 17' (pen.), 42', 58'
  • Magala 40'
  • Wanyama 78'
 Report Stadium: Nakivubo Hamz Stadium
24 December 2024 CECAFA U-17 Championship Semi-final Uganda  4–1  Somalia Kampala, Uganda
16:30 UTC+3
  • Walisimbi 45'
  • Bogere 58', 90+3', 90+5'
 Report
  • Osman 70'
 Stadium: Nakivubo Hamz Stadium
27 December 2024 CECAFA U-17 Championship Final Tanzania  1–2  Uganda Kampala, Uganda
15:30 UTC+3
  • Josiah 11'
 Report
  • Nkoola 64'
  • Bogere 89'
 Stadium: Nakivubo Hamz Stadium

2025

23 January Friendly Burkina Faso  3–2  Uganda
12:00 Report
30 March 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Group A Morocco  5–0  Uganda Mohammedia, Morocco
22:00 UTC+1
  • Belmokhtar 3', 32' (pen.)
  • Ait Cheikh 8'
  • Baha 24', 71'
 Report Stadium: El Bachir Stadium
Referee: Brahamou Sadou Ali (Niger)
3 April 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Group A Uganda  3–0  Tanzania Mohammedia, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1
  • Wanyama 61'
  • Okello 85'
  • Bogere 90+2' (pen.)
 Report Stadium: El Bachir Stadium
Referee: Lominson Todihajaniaina (Madagascar)
6 April 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Group A Uganda  1–2  Zambia Casablanca, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1
  • Torach 49'
 Report
  • Chipelu 20'
  • Daka 86'
 Stadium: Larbi Zaouli Stadium
Referee: Abdulwahid Huraywidah (Libya)
12 April 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification play-off Uganda  2–1  Gambia El Jadida, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1
  • Bogere 13', 33'
 Report
  • Kanyi 1'
 Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium
Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)
5 November 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup Group K Canada  2–1  Uganda Al Rayyan, Qatar
18:45 UTC+3
  • Roche 88'
  • Aiyenero 90+8' (pen.)
 Report
  • Bogere 25'
 Stadium: Aspire Zone (pitch 9)
Referee: Oleksii Derevinskyi (Ukraine)
8 November 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup Group K Uganda  1–1  Chile Al Rayyan, Qatar
15:30 UTC+3
  • Ssozi 90+3'
 Report
  • Torres 45+3'
 Stadium: Aspire Zone (pitch 8)
Referee: Sander van der Eijk (Netherlands)
11 November 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup Group K Uganda  1–0  France Al Rayyan, Qatar
15:30 UTC+3
  • Bogere 18'
 Report Stadium: Aspire Zone (pitch 3)
Referee: Rustam Lutfullin (Uzbekistan)
15 November 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup Round of 32 Senegal  0–1  Uganda Al Rayyan, Qatar
15:30 UTC+3 Report Walusimbi 15' Stadium: Aspire Zone (pitch 7)
Referee: Paulo Zanovelli (Brazil)

Competitive records

FIFA U-17 World Cup

Year Round GP W D L GS GA
1985 Did not qualify
1987
1989 Did not participate
1991 Withdrew
1993 Did not qualify
1995 Disqualified
1997 Did not qualify
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
2015
2017
2019
2021 Cancelled
2023 Did not qualify
2025 Round of 16 5 2 2 1 5 4
2026 To be determined
Total 1/20 5 2 2 1 5 4

U-17 Africa Cup of Nations

Year Round GP W D L GS GA
1985 Did not qualify
1987
1989 Did not participate
1991 Did not qualify
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
2015
2017
2019 Group stage 3 1 1 1 4 2
2023 Did not qualify
2025 Group stage 3 1 0 2 4 7
Total 2/20 6 2 1 3 8 9

CECAFA U-17 Championship

Year Round GP W D L GS GA
2007 Runners-up 4 3 0 1 13 3
2009 Champions 6 6 0 0 13 3
2018 Third place 4 2 1 1 8 3
2019 Champions 6 5 0 1 23 5
2020 Champions 4 4 0 0 12 1
2022 Fourth place 4 2 2 0 10 3
2024 Champions 4 3 1 0 12 3
Total 7/7 32 25 4 3 91 21

References

  1. ^ "Uganda U-7 squad, results, fixtures, photos, statistics". International Soccerway. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Uganda U-17 Team profile, statistics, players, fixtures, results". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  3. ^ "Afcon U-17:Lutalo names Uganda provincial squad to start preparations". Goal.com. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Afcon-17:Uganda off to Morocco for AFCON finals". Africa Top Sports. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Uganda beat Ethiopia to qualify for U-17 Nations Cup". BBC Sports Africa. 26 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  6. ^ https://nilepost.co.ug/sports/301463/uganda-make-history-with-shock-win-over-france-at-u-17-world-cup 2025
  7. ^ Magella (2025-05-01). "Uganda's U17 cubs qualify for first-ever FIFA World Cup - GoodNews". Retrieved 2025-12-19.
  8. ^ "Uganda's U17 Historical team returns home today! – FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations". 2025-11-21. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
  9. ^ Adam, Kungu Al-Mahadi (2025-04-16). "FUFA's Youth Football Focus Secured Uganda's U17 World Cup 2025 Spot". Plus News. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
  10. ^ "Uganda U17 Squad".
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.