Uganda’s U-17 Team Holds on to World Cup Hopes
Uganda’s U-17 team, known as the Cubs, has managed to keep their FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 hopes alive after a dramatic draw against Chile. The match, held at the Aspire Zone Complex in Doha, Qatar, ended in a 1-1 tie, with substitute Derrick Ssozi scoring in added time to secure the crucial point.
This result places Uganda in third place in Group K, just ahead of Chile, who remain at the bottom of the group after losing 2-0 to France in their opening game. The Cubs now have a chance to progress past the group stage, especially as they head into their final group match against France on Tuesday.
The Cubs earned their first-ever point at this stage of the tournament after a 1-0 loss to Canada in their initial game. They now trail group leaders France and Canada, who played out a goalless draw, giving them four points each. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups will qualify directly for the round-of-32 stage, along with the eight best third-placed teams.
Coach Expresses Confidence Despite Set-Piece Issues
Cubs coach Brian Ssenyondo praised his team’s resilience and character after the match. He acknowledged that while the result wasn’t ideal, the team showed determination to come back from a goal down. “It shows a team that can come back from a painful loss,” he said.
Ssenyondo also highlighted the positives, noting that the team has already scored two goals in the tournament, which is a significant achievement for a team that has not previously reached this stage. However, he admitted that defending set pieces remains a challenge for the team.
In the first half, Chile scored through a header by Bruno Torres from a freekick, which caught the Cubs off guard. “We believe we were the better team throughout the 90 minutes. We know it’s a problem, and we have worked on it. There are two ways—can’t we deal with it or is the opponent better in executing their setpieces?” he questioned.
Despite these issues, the coach drew confidence from the team’s solid defensive performance and the determination to secure a positive result. This was exemplified by Ssozi’s equalizer, which came just a minute after he replaced captain Richard Okello, who was relieved of his captaincy duties for the game.
A Last-Minute Goal Keeps Hopes Alive
Ssozi pounced on a corner kick after Chile failed to clear the ball, hooking the ball over the line to level the score. The goal underwent a VAR check, but it was eventually confirmed, keeping the Cubs’ World Cup campaign alive.
The match was a testament to the team’s fighting spirit and ability to adapt under pressure. While there are areas that need improvement, particularly in set-piece defense, the team has shown that they can compete at the highest level.
Group K Standings and Upcoming Fixtures
Here are the latest results in Group K:
- Uganda 1-1 Chile
- France 0-0 Canada
The upcoming fixtures on Tuesday will be crucial for all teams:
- Uganda vs France
- Canada vs Chile
These matches will determine which teams advance to the next stage of the tournament.
Conclusion
Uganda’s U-17 team has proven that they can hold their own against strong opposition. With a mix of resilience, determination, and moments of brilliance, they have kept their World Cup dream alive. As they face France in their final group game, the team will look to build on this momentum and continue making history.