By 
- Zambia 2-1 Uganda
The Uganda U-17 national football team, fondly known as the Uganda Cubs, find themselves on the brink of history but with one final hurdle to clear.
Despite a valiant display in their last group stage match at the ongoing U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, the Cubs fell 2-1 to Zambia, missing out on a direct ticket to the 2025 U-17 FIFA World Cup.
The high stakes clash, held at the Ziaidi Sports Complex, saw the Cubs dominate large spells of the game, only to be undone by a clinical Zambian side.
Kelvin Chipelu capitalized on a defensive miscommunication in the first half to hand Zambia the lead.
Uganda, knowing that only a win would guarantee them a World Cup spot, rallied back through Elvis Torach’s well-taken equalizer just four minutes into the second half.
The Cubs continued to press, dictating possession and creating chances, but Zambia held firm.
Drama ensued when Billy Daka missed a penalty in the 67th minute, but the young forward redeemed himself late in the game, scoring the winner with just four minutes left on the clock.
That decisive goal secured Zambia’s spot in the AFCON U-17 quarterfinals, and with it, a ticket to the World Cup, alongside hosts Morocco.
For Uganda, the loss stung not just for the missed opportunity, but also for the manner in which they controlled the game. However, all is not lost.
The Cubs now have one final shot at redemption: a playoff match against the third-placed team from Group C—which includes Tunisia, Senegal, The Gambia, and Somalia.
That all important match is set for April 12, 2025 and it represents a second chance for Uganda to write a new chapter in its footballing story.
