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Cubs pick positives from B. Faso thriller
U17 striker James Bogere (14). PHOTO/COURTESY OF FUFA
What you need to know:
The Cubs equalized through Derrick Ssozi’s well-taken shot in the dying minutes of the half and grabbed the lead six minutes into the second stanza through James Bogere.
Uganda national Under-17 team received the much-needed lessons in their 3-2 loss to Burkina Faso as they landed in Morocco ahead of the Under-17 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The continental finals will take place from March 30 to April 19 in Morocco.
Uganda were able to match the 2011 champions in the early exchanges as they went for the long balls but finally broke down after the half-hour. Issouf Bara put Burkina Faso ahead in the 33rd minute after a foul on the box gifted the West Africans a penalty.
The Cubs equalized through Derrick Ssozi’s well-taken shot in the dying minutes of the half and grabbed the lead six minutes into the second stanza through James Bogere.
However, a lapse in concentration cost the Cubs the game in the dying minutes as they conceded against Alassane Bagayoko and Mohamed Sacko in the final 15 minutes.
The team’s head coach Brian Ssenyondo lauded his boys’ spirited output but mourned the lapses in concentration, something he must now work on before facing hosts Morocco on Sunday in the opening match.
“We dominated play, scored a goal in the last minutes of the first half and again in the early minutes of the second half,” Ssenyondo said after Monday's friendly.
“All goals we conceded were avoidable because they were individual players’ mistakes [but] we will improve on our game as we move on, so that we attain our goal of World Cup qualification.”
Uganda is placed in Group A with Morocco, Zambia and neighbours Tanzania. he top two teams from each group will secure direct qualification to both the quarter-finals and the World Cup. The final two World Cup slots will be determined through playoffs featuring the best third-placed teams.
Uganda finished third in their group during their Afcon debut in Tanzania in 2019.
2025 U-17 AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
Host country: Morocco
Dates: March 30 - April 19
Uganda’s fixtures
Sunday, March 30: Morocco vs. Uganda, 10pm
El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia
Thursday, April: Uganda vs. Tanzania, 5pm
El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia
Sunday, April 6: Uganda vs. Zambia, 8pm
Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca
