Uganda’s U17 national football team, the Cubs, missed out on an automatic qualification slot to the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar after a 2-1 defeat to Zambia in their final Group A match of the CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The result, which saw Uganda finish third in the group, means the Cubs will now have to go through a playoff route to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Only the top two teams in each group earn direct quarterfinal qualification and automatic tickets to the global showpiece.
In a game played on Sunday at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Uganda created several scoring opportunities but lacked the clinical edge to make them count.
Zambia, on the other hand, took their chances when they came, with Kelvin Mulenga Chipelu opening the scoring in the 20th minute against the run of play.
The Cubs had started brightly, with James Bogere, Isima Magala, and Simon Wanyama all testing the Zambian defence in the opening ten minutes.
Despite the early pressure, Uganda could not find the back of the net, with Zambian goalkeeper Rogers Simumba proving a formidable barrier.
Uganda equalised shortly after the break when right back Elvis Torach controlled a long ball from Bogere and unleashed a powerful strike to make it 1-1 in the 49th minute.
Coach Brian Ssenyondo’s side continued to press for a winner, but another lapse in concentration proved costly.
Substitute Billy Daka, who had earlier missed a penalty saved by Adrian Mukwanga, made amends in the 84th minute with a deflected effort that restored Zambia’s lead and ultimately sealed Uganda’s fate.
The Cubs will now face the third-placed team from Group C in a crucial playoff fixture, the winner securing one of the two remaining African slots for the World Cup.
Meanwhile, in the other Group A fixture, hosts Morocco maintained a perfect record with a commanding 3-0 win over Tanzania.
The result saw Morocco finish top with nine points, while Tanzania exited the tournament with just a single point.
