By 
- Tanzania 0-3 Uganda
In the sweltering evening heat of Mohammedia, Morocco, one name rose above the rest, James Bogere. As the final whistle blew and Uganda Cubs celebrated a crucial 3-0 victory over Tanzania, it was Bogere, standing tall and proud, who had not only sealed the win but also inspired a nation hungry for continental glory.
After a bruising opening loss in their 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, the Cubs were a team under pressure. But when the stakes were highest, Bogere and his teammates answered the call with grit, fire, and a hunger to bounce back.
From the first whistle, Uganda looked like a team transformed. Within seconds, Richard Okello rattled the crossbar, signaling their intent. Though Tanzania briefly threatened with a long-range strike from Akram Shaaban, Adrian Mukwanga’s sharp save maintained Uganda’s clean slate.
The match’s tempo tilted firmly in Uganda’s favor. They pressed high, moved with cohesion, and kept Tanzania’s defense scrambling. Isima Magala nearly found the opener just before the break, but goalkeeper Abrahman Nassoro kept the Serengeti Boys in the game temporarily.
The turning point came in the 56th minute, when Tanzanian defender Hussein Mbegu was controversially sent off after a VAR review. Uganda smelled blood. Within five minutes, Simon Wanyama broke through, coolly finishing past Nassoro to open the floodgates.
Simon Wanyama.
Richard Okello, whose early strike had set the tone, was next. Pouncing on a rebound in the 85th minute, he made it 2-0 and effectively ended Tanzania’s hopes.
But it was James Bogere electric, determined, and unshaken who closed the night in style. Deep into stoppage time, the forward confidently stepped up to take a penalty. One moment, one shot, and one cold-blooded finish. The ball sailed into the net as the goalkeeper dove the wrong way. Victory sealed. Statement made.
Bogere, later named Man of the Match, reflected on his personal comeback and the team’s performance:
“I wasn’t prepared in the first game. I needed to be seen. So I sat myself down and said, ‘I have to help my country.’ We came well prepared, followed what the coaches told us, and the game was easy.”
His words echoed with purpose. A young man aware of the weight of the badge on his chest, ready to carry it forward.
The result lifts Uganda to third in Group A with three points, revitalizing their campaign and leaving Tanzania at the bottom , their hopes of progression hanging by a thread. With the top two teams qualifying directly for the U-17 World Cup and third-placed sides battling for the remaining slots, the fight is far from over.
