Uganda national under-17 football team

Uganda U-17 national football team
Nickname	The Cubs
Association	Federation of Uganda Football Associations
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	CECAFA (East & Central Africa)
Head coach	Samuel Fabin
Captain	Gavin Kizito
Home stadium	Mandela National Stadium
FIFA code	UGA
First international
	Uganda 0–1 South Sudan ; (Kampala, Uganda; 6 June 1991)
Biggest win
	Djibouti 0–8 Uganda ; (Dar es Salam, Tanzania; 22 August 2018)
Biggest defeat
	Morocco 5–0 Uganda ; (Mohammedia, Morocco; 30 March 2025)
U-17 Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances	2 (first in 2019)
Best result	Group stage (2019, 2025)
CECAFA U-17 Championship
Appearances	5 (first in 2007)
Best result	Champions (2018, 2020)
FIFA U-17 World Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 2025)
Best result	Round of 16 (2025)

The Uganda national under-17 football team (nicknamed The Cubs), represents Uganda in men's under-17 international football and is controlled by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations, which is a part of CAF.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]^[5]

History

The Uganda national under-17 scored its first goal in the FIFA U-17 World Cup on 5 November 2025 in Qatar. The Uganda national under-17 football team, known as the Uganda Cubs, recently made history as the first Ugandan team to reach the knockout stages of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in November 2025.

For the first time in history, Uganda secured a victory in a FIFA World Cup match. James Bogere's early goal enabled the Uganda Cubs to surprise France with a 1-0 win and move on to the knockout rounds of the U-17 tournament.^[6] It is currently coached by Brain Ssenyondo.

Breakthrough: 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup

The 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar marked a historic milestone for Ugandan football. On 12 April 2025, Uganda secured qualification for the tournament, the first time any Ugandan team at any level has qualified for a FIFA World Cup event, by defeating The Gambia 2-1 in a playoff following the 2025 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nation.^[7]

The team's participation galvanized support at home and FUFA organised a homecoming ceremony in Entebe to honour the squad's achievement.^[8]

Style and Impact

The Cubs are recognised for their attacking play and tactical discipline. Their recent successes reflect the growth of youth football structures in Uganda and underscore FUFA's focus on long-term development including coaching education, youth competition and international exposure.^[9]

Players

The following players were called up for the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.^[10]

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Club
1	1GK	Adrian Mukwanga	(2010-05-25)25 May 2010 (aged 14)	Vipers SC
2	2DF	Jovan Mukisa	(2009-05-29)29 May 2009 (aged 15)	NEC FC
3	2DF	Hamuza Sengooba	(2008-02-02)2 February 2008 (aged 17)	Masaka Sunshine FC
4	3MF	Ethan Oyedele	(2008-07-09)9 July 2008 (aged 16)	Bradfield College
5	3MF	Joseph Lamgol	(2009-11-01)1 November 2009 (aged 15)	Paorhinar Soccer Academy
6	2DF	Elvis Torach	(2008-02-25)25 February 2008 (aged 17)	Masaka Sunshine FC
7	3MF	Derick Szozi	(2008-06-01)1 June 2008 (aged 16)	Fort Portal Tax Operators FC
8	3MF	Thomas Ogema	(2009-05-27)27 May 2009 (aged 15)	KCC FC
9	4FW	James Bogere	(2008-02-02)2 February 2008 (aged 17)	Masaka Sunshine FC
10	3MF	Isma Mangala	(2009-07-28)28 July 2009 (aged 15)	Masaka Sunshine FC
11	4FW	Richard Okello	(2008-03-27)27 March 2008 (aged 17)	Bul FC
12	2DF	Steven Oyirwoth	(2009-09-24)24 September 2009 (aged 15)	KCC FC
13	2DF	Trabor Mubiru	(2010-07-15)15 July 2010 (aged 14)	Vipers SC
14	4FW	Simon Wanyama	(2009-12-20)20 December 2009 (aged 15)	Bukedea Comephensive
15	4FW	Shakur Magogo	(2008-12-15)15 December 2008 (aged 16)	Namilyango College
16	2DF	John Owino	(2009-06-05)5 June 2009 (aged 15)	Express FC
17	3MF	Marvin Kabito	(2008-12-03)3 December 2008 (aged 16)	Vipers SC
18	1GK	Muhamad Masabo	(2010-12-10)10 December 2010 (aged 14)	Lugazi FC
19	1GK	Archaf Lukyamuzi	(2009-12-25)25 December 2009 (aged 15)	KCCA FC
20	3MF	Ashraf Kyakuwa	(2010-06-10)10 June 2010 (aged 14)	Vipers SC
21	4FW	Abdul Ntege	(2010-01-01)1 January 2010 (aged 15)	Maroons FC

Recent results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results from the previous 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

Win Draw Loss Void or Postponed Fixtures

2024

15 December 2024 CECAFA U-17 Championship Group A	Uganda	1–1	Tanzania	Kampala, Uganda
16:00 UTC+3	Magala 58'	Report	Ally 19'	Stadium: Nakivubo Hamz Stadium

21 December 2024 CECAFA U-17 Championship Group A	Uganda	5–0	Kenya	Kampala, Uganda
16:00 UTC+3	Bogere 17' (pen.), 42', 58' Magala 40' Wanyama 78'	Report		Stadium: Nakivubo Hamz Stadium

24 December 2024 CECAFA U-17 Championship Semi-final	Uganda	4–1	Somalia	Kampala, Uganda
16:30 UTC+3	Walisimbi 45' Bogere 58', 90+3', 90+5'	Report	Osman 70'	Stadium: Nakivubo Hamz Stadium

27 December 2024 CECAFA U-17 Championship Final	Tanzania	1–2	Uganda	Kampala, Uganda
15:30 UTC+3	Josiah 11'	Report	Nkoola 64' Bogere 89'	Stadium: Nakivubo Hamz Stadium

2025

23 January Friendly	Burkina Faso	3–2	Uganda
12:00		Report

30 March 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Group A	Morocco	5–0	Uganda	Mohammedia, Morocco
22:00 UTC+1	Belmokhtar 3', 32' (pen.) Ait Cheikh 8' Baha 24', 71'	Report		Stadium: El Bachir Stadium Referee: Brahamou Sadou Ali (Niger)

3 April 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Group A	Uganda	3–0	Tanzania	Mohammedia, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1	Wanyama 61' Okello 85' Bogere 90+2' (pen.)	Report		Stadium: El Bachir Stadium Referee: Lominson Todihajaniaina (Madagascar)

6 April 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Group A	Uganda	1–2	Zambia	Casablanca, Morocco
20:00 UTC+1	Torach 49'	Report	Chipelu 20' Daka 86'	Stadium: Larbi Zaouli Stadium Referee: Abdulwahid Huraywidah (Libya)

12 April 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification play-off	Uganda	2–1	Gambia	El Jadida, Morocco
17:00 UTC+1	Bogere 13', 33'	Report	Kanyi 1'	Stadium: Ben M'Hamed El Abdi Stadium Referee: Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco)

5 November 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup Group K	Canada	2–1	Uganda	Al Rayyan, Qatar
18:45 UTC+3	Roche 88' Aiyenero 90+8' (pen.)	Report	Bogere 25'	Stadium: Aspire Zone (pitch 9) Referee: Oleksii Derevinskyi (Ukraine)

8 November 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup Group K	Uganda	1–1	Chile	Al Rayyan, Qatar
15:30 UTC+3	Ssozi 90+3'	Report	Torres 45+3'	Stadium: Aspire Zone (pitch 8) Referee: Sander van der Eijk (Netherlands)

11 November 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup Group K	Uganda	1–0	France	Al Rayyan, Qatar
15:30 UTC+3	Bogere 18'	Report		Stadium: Aspire Zone (pitch 3) Referee: Rustam Lutfullin (Uzbekistan)

15 November 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup Round of 32	Senegal	0–1	Uganda	Al Rayyan, Qatar
15:30 UTC+3		Report	Walusimbi 15'	Stadium: Aspire Zone (pitch 7) Referee: Paulo Zanovelli (Brazil)

Competitive records

FIFA U-17 World Cup

Year	Round	GP	W	D	L	GS	GA
1985	Did not qualify
1987	Did not qualify
1989	Did not participate
1991	Withdrew
1993	Did not qualify
1995	Disqualified
1997	Did not qualify
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
2015
2017
2019
~~2021~~	Cancelled
2023	Did not qualify
2025	Round of 16	5	2	2	1	5	4
2026	To be determined
Total	1/20	5	2	2	1	5	4

U-17 Africa Cup of Nations

Year	Round	GP	W	D	L	GS	GA
1985	Did not qualify
1987	Did not qualify
1989	Did not participate
1991	Did not qualify
1993
1995
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2007
2009
2011
2013
2015
2017
2019	Group stage	3	1	1	1	4	2
2023	Did not qualify
2025	Group stage	3	1	0	2	4	7
Total	2/20	6	2	1	3	8	9

CECAFA U-17 Championship

Year	Round	GP	W	D	L	GS	GA
2007	Runners-up	4	3	0	1	13	3
2009	Champions	6	6	0	0	13	3
2018	Third place	4	2	1	1	8	3
2019	Champions	6	5	0	1	23	5
2020	Champions	4	4	0	0	12	1
2022	Fourth place	4	2	2	0	10	3
2024	Champions	4	3	1	0	12	3
Total	7/7	32	25	4	3	91	21

References

^ "Uganda U-7 squad, results, fixtures, photos, statistics". International Soccerway. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
^ "Uganda U-17 Team profile, statistics, players, fixtures, results". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
^ "Afcon U-17:Lutalo names Uganda provincial squad to start preparations". Goal.com. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
^ "Afcon-17:Uganda off to Morocco for AFCON finals". Africa Top Sports. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
^ "Uganda beat Ethiopia to qualify for U-17 Nations Cup". BBC Sports Africa. 26 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
^ https://nilepost.co.ug/sports/301463/uganda-make-history-with-shock-win-over-france-at-u-17-world-cup 2025
^ Magella (2025-05-01). "Uganda's U17 cubs qualify for first-ever FIFA World Cup - GoodNews". Retrieved 2025-12-19.
^ "Uganda's U17 Historical team returns home today! – FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations". 2025-11-21. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
^ Adam, Kungu Al-Mahadi (2025-04-16). "FUFA's Youth Football Focus Secured Uganda's U17 World Cup 2025 Spot". Plus News. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
^ "Uganda U17 Squad".

External links

[1] "Uganda U-7 squad, results, fixtures, photos, statistics". International Soccerway. Retrieved 15 August 2021.

[2] "Uganda U-17 Team profile, statistics, players, fixtures, results". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 15 August 2021.

[3] "Afcon U-17:Lutalo names Uganda provincial squad to start preparations". Goal.com. 6 February 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.

[4] "Afcon-17:Uganda off to Morocco for AFCON finals". Africa Top Sports. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2021.

[5] "Uganda beat Ethiopia to qualify for U-17 Nations Cup". BBC Sports Africa. 26 August 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2021.

[6] ttps://nilepost.co.ug/sports/301463/uganda-make-history-with-shock-win-over-france-at-u-17-world-cup 2025

[7] Magella (2025-05-01). "Uganda's U17 cubs qualify for first-ever FIFA World Cup - GoodNews". Retrieved 2025-12-19.

[8] "Uganda's U17 Historical team returns home today! – FUFA: Federation of Uganda Football Associations". 2025-11-21. Retrieved 2025-12-19.

[9] Adam, Kungu Al-Mahadi (2025-04-16). "FUFA's Youth Football Focus Secured Uganda's U17 World Cup 2025 Spot". Plus News. Retrieved 2025-12-19.

[10] "Uganda U17 Squad".

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National under-17 football teams of Africa (CAF)
North Africa (UNAF)	Algeria Egypt Libya Morocco Tunisia
West Africa (WAFU)	Benin Burkina Faso Cape Verde Gambia Ghana Guinea Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Liberia Mali Mauritania Niger Nigeria Senegal Sierra Leone Togo
East Africa (CECAFA)	Burundi Djibouti Eritrea Ethiopia Kenya Rwanda Somalia South Sudan Sudan Tanzania Uganda Zanzibar¹
Central Africa (UNIFFAC)	Cameroon Central African Republic Chad Congo DR Congo Equatorial Guinea Gabon São Tomé and Príncipe
Southern Africa (COSAFA)	Angola Botswana Comoros Eswatini Lesotho Madagascar Malawi Mauritius Mozambique Namibia Seychelles South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe
Non-regional Members	Réunion¹
¹ Regional team, an associate member of CAF but not a member of FIFA Football in Africa portal

Uganda national football team
General	Federation of Uganda Football Associations History Managers Achievements Records
Stadiums	Mandela National Stadium St. Mary's Stadium-Kitende
Players	Squad Player category
Results	Results 1926–1969 1960–1979 1980–1999 2000–2019 2020–present
Africa Cup of Nations	Summary 1962 1968 1974 1976 1978 2017 2019 2025
Other tournaments	African Nations Championship CECAFA Cup
Notable matches	1978 African Cup of Nations final 2011 CECAFA Cup final 2012 CECAFA Cup final 2015 CECAFA Cup final 2019 CECAFA Cup final
Other Ugandan teams	U-23 U-20 U-17 Women U-23 U-20 U-17

National sports teams of Uganda
Badminton Baseball Basketball M M U/18 M U/16 W W U/18 W U/16 W 3x3 Beach soccer Cricket M W W U/19 Field hockey M W Football M M U/20 M U/17 W W U/20 W U/17 Handball M W Lacrosse Netball Rugby union M W M7 W7 Tennis M W Volleyball M W
Olympics Paralympics Deaflympics Commonwealth Games African Games