FIFA U17 World Cup: Uganda Cubs eliminate Senegal to reach Round of 16

Uganda U17 Boys National Football Team has continued their fairytale run at the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup after overcoming Senegal at the round of 32 on Saturday.

In the game played at the Aspire Zone, Pitch 7 in Qatar, the Cubs edged the Young Lions of Teranga by 1-0 courtesy of Abubakali Walusimbi’s lone strike.

Walusumbi fired Uganda into the lead at the quarter-hour mark with a ferocious strike just outside the area, and this eventually turned out to be the decisive moment of the game.

After a remarkable and historic win over France in their final group game, to seal a spot in the round of 32, the Cubs grew in confidence and started the better side today against Senegal.

Coach Brian Ssenyondo made no changes in the team that had played against France, with Arafat Nkoola, Richard Okello and James Bogere starting up front.

A good start saw Uganda take the lead in the 15th minute with Brian Ijara winning possession in the midfield, passing the ball to captain Hamuza Ssengooba, who teed up Walusimbi to fire into the bottom left corner.

Thereafter, it was attack after attack from Senegal but goalkeeper Edrisah Waibi was outstanding on the day, making game-defining saves.

It was not surprising that at the end of the thrilling encounter, he was named the man of the match.

In the second half, Uganda was forced into making a change, with Ssengooba forced off after sustaining a head injury in an aerial duel.

Senegal thought they had earned a penalty towards the closing stages when Bakary Sonko went down in the box, but it was overruled after review.

Two minutes to the end of normal time, they had the ball into the back of the net, but this was equally ruled out, this time for offside.

Uganda now awaits the winner between Germany and Burkina Faso at the Round of 16.