By 
Uganda’s U-17 national team, the Cubs, saw their remarkable World Cup campaign come to an end on Tuesday after a 5–3 penalty shootout loss to Burkina Faso in the round of 16 at the Aspire Zone Complex in Doha.
Coached by Brian Ssenyondo, the Cubs fought bravely in a tight contest that ended 1–1 in regular time. Arafat Nkoola gave Uganda the lead in the 56th minute with a brilliant curled strike, and Richard Okello later came close to doubling the advantage. But Burkina Faso equalized in the 77th minute through Alassana Bagayogo, forcing the match into penalties, where the West Africans converted all five of their kicks.
The defeat ends what has been Uganda’s most impressive U-17 World Cup run. The Cubs opened the tournament with a 2–1 loss to Canada, drew 1–1 with Chile, and stunned former champions France 1–0 to reach the knockouts. They went on to eliminate Senegal 1–0 in the round of 32.
FUFA President Moses Hassim Magogo praised the team, saying they had made the country “happy, proud, and forever grateful” for their spirited performances on the world stage.
Uganda exits the tournament with heads held high after a historic, inspirational campaign.
