Uganda’s cinderella story at the FIFA U-17 World Cup agonizingly came to an end on Tuesday after falling to Burkina Faso in the Round of 16.
The game played at the Aspire Zone, Pitch 5, ended in a one-all draw, but the Young Stallions were able to secure a 5-3 win on penalties to proceed.
Uganda came into this game oozing with confidence, having eliminated Senegal at the Round of 32. Equally, Burkina Faso were in high spirits for eliminating holders Germany at the previous round.
The Cubs, however, had to do it without lethal forward James Bogere who was suspended for accumulating two yellow cards.
The Young Stallions also had to go without two influential players in Ashiraf Loukman Tapsoba Isma Azelle.
Coach Brian Ssenyondo made only one change from the team that had started against Senegal, with Enock Bagenda starting in place of suspended Bogere.
The closely contested game saw Burkina Faso dominate possession, but it was Uganda that had the closest of chances through Isima Magala whose headed effort hit the base of the goal post while Abubakali Walusimbi and Richard Okello attempted from distance but the goalkeeper was well positioned to save.
It was Arafat Nkoola who broke the deadlock in the 56th minute with his curling effort to find the back of the net when Walusimbi teed him up.
The Young Stallions were, however, able to level matters through substitute Alassana Bagayogo who finished from close distance when he controlled the ball on his chest and slotted it past goalkeeper Edrisah Waibi.
Normal time ended in a stalemate and coach Ssenyondo made late changes to introduce goalkeeper Adrian Mukwanga in place of Waibi and Derrick Ssozi replacing Nkoola.
However, the Burkinabes were clinical from the spot, converting all five takes with Ssozi the only one missing his kick from the spot for Uganda.
Burkina Faso will therefore face Italy in the quarterfinals. The latter edged Uzbekistan 3-2.