Uganda U17 Boys’ National Football Team, the Cubs, have progressed to the Round of 32 after overcoming France in their final group game on Tuesday.
In the game played at the Aspire Zone Pitch 4 in Al Rayyan, Qatar, Uganda put up a resilient performance to edge France.
Sharp-shooter James Bogere scored the lone goal of the game, coming in the first half, and this eventually turned out to be the decisive moment of the game.
The goal arrived in the 18th minute with Bogere finding himself in space inside the box to fire home from Hamuza Ssengooba’s lay-up.
Coach Brian Ssenyondo made only one change from the team that drew against Chile in the previous game, with Arafat Nkoola starting in place of Innocent Asiimwe.
Uganda came into the game needing nothing short of victory to stand a chance of progressing beyond the group stage.
It is what the team did, finding the goal early on, and fighting to fend off France’s attacks.
The result means Uganda settles for third place on four points, the same as Group K leaders France and Canada, who finished in second place. Chile, too, ended with four points but ended in fourth place due to an inferior goal difference.
It should be noted that the top eight of the 12 third-ranked teams progressed to the knockout stage to join the 12 group leaders and 12 runners-up to complete the 32 teams.
Wow, kindly share also the group table but l love “the sharp shooter”
Congratulations to Uganda cub.
It’s a massive development. We’re looking forward for the nokext stage.
Uganda to the world
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The lads has a higher potential than the current senior team squad basing on what they have achieved.
FUFA needs to over see their smooth transition and intergation into the senior side