U-17 AFCON: Uganda thump Tanzania to register first win

Photo Credit: FUFA Media

Uganda bounced back from a heavy first game defeat to register maximum points in the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Uganda hammered 10-men Tanzania 3-0 in Mohammedia on Thursday to move up in Group A.

The Uganda Cubs dominated the proceedings while the Serengeti Boys were visibly weakened during the encounter. The first half saw a dominant Uganda while Tanzania were unable to break the high press of their East African neighbors.

Richard Okello rattled the bar for Uganda in the opening minute before Tanzania’s Akram Shaaban tested Cubs goalkeeper Adrian Mukwanga from distance. At the forty minute mark Isima Magala forced a save from Tanzanian keeper Abrahman Nassoro.

The turning point of the tie came in 56th minute when Tanzanian center back Hussein Mbegu was shown his marching orders in a controversial red card decision following a VAR review.

Uganda broke the deadlock five minutes later through a simple finish from Simon Wanyama. Okello added one more with a rebound five minutes before time. Influential striker and Man of the Match James Bogere put the final nail in the coffin comfortably from the spot at the end of the encounter.

Uganda are now third in Group A with three points. Tanzania occupy bottom with zero points as they face early elimination.

Group A Table

	GP	Points
Morocco	1	3
Zambia	1	3
Uganda	2	3
Tanzania	2	0

• The top two finishers qualify for the quarterfinals and the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

• The fourth and third place finishers qualify for a playoff, from which two teams qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.