Angello Kasumba scored twice but Uganda Rhinos were left empty-handed after surrendering a late lead in a thrilling 4-3 defeat to Kyrgyz Republic at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Rhinos twice came from behind and eventually took control of the Group U encounter, only for Kyrgyz Republic to strike twice in the closing six minutes and snatch victory at the Hovsan Competition Complex on Saturday.

Elkhan Myimanbaev gave Kyrgyz Republic a flying start when he broke the deadlock after just five minutes, but Uganda did not take long to respond.

Ivan Kiganda restored parity in the 12th minute to bring Uganda back into the contest before Kasumba completed the turnaround in the 23rd minute, finishing off a well-worked move to put the Rhinos 2-1 ahead.

Kyrgyz Republic responded through Baiel Zhanyshbekov in the 31st minute, but their celebrations barely lasted as Kasumba struck again in the same minute.

The El Cambio Soccer Academy youngster beat his marker before finding the net for his second of the game to restore Uganda’s advantage at 3-2.

With the Rhinos seemingly heading towards victory, however, the contest took another dramatic turn in the closing stages.

Nurel Asylbekov pulled Kyrgyz Republic level at 3-3 in the 34th minute before Zhanyshbekov delivered the decisive blow with a minute of regulation time remaining, completing his brace to seal a 4-3 victory.

Uganda also had Ashiraf Kyeswa and Najib Zizinga booked in the 18th and 26th minutes respectively, while Kyrgyz Republic’s Ilimbek Ernisbekov was shown a yellow card in the final minute.

Despite the defeat, Anthony Bongole’s charges showed plenty of attacking promise in their opening assignment, with Kasumba’s double and Kiganda’s strike highlighting the Rhinos’ threat going forward.

Attention now quickly turns to a busy second day of action on Sunday, October 25, when Uganda are scheduled to face Equatorial Guinea and Cabo Verde as they continue their Group U campaign. The Rhinos will then take on Ecuador and Tonga on Monday October 26.

The inaugural competition is being played in an 8v8 format, with matches lasting 40 minutes — two halves of 20 minutes. Results from the qualification stage will determine which of six performance tiers each nation enters for the tournament phase, meaning every participating team remains in action regardless of its group-stage results.