By Caroline.N.
In a story of grit, belief, and historic firsts, the Uganda Cubs have stunned Senegal 1–0 in the Round of 32 at the 2025 FIFA U 17 World Cup, sending shockwaves across African and global youth football. What makes this result even more remarkable is that this is Uganda’s first-ever appearance at any FIFA World Cup tournament.
The decisive moment came early: in the 13th minute, midfielder Abubakali Walusimbi unleashed a thunderous long-range strike that evaded two desperate Senegalese defenders and beat the goalkeeper, nestling into the bottom corner. The goal was the product of quick, incisive interplay: Brian Ijara disrupted possession in midfield, linked with Captain Hamuza Ssengooba, and released Walusimbi down the right edge, setting the stage for the moment of magic.
Once ahead, Uganda dug in. Senegal, one of the more physically imposing and technically gifted sides at this tournament, piled on the pressure. But the Cubs’ resolve was ironclad. Goalkeeper Edrisah Waibi was monumental between the posts, making a string of crucial saves and marshalling his defence in a performance that earned him the Player of the Match accolade.
Drama mounted late in the match: Senegal had a penalty appeal turned down after a VAR review, and moments later thought they had equalised only for the goal to be waved off for offside. But Uganda held on. Their lines held strong, their concentration never wavered, and they closed out the match in a tense finish to send the East African nation into the Round of 16.
The magnitude of this victory cannot be overstated. Senegal entered the game with a reputation: they had topped their group in this tournament, emerging as one of Africa’s most formidable U 17 sides. But Uganda, now riding high on confidence and belief, continued their fairytale run — this after already securing a remarkable 1-0 win over France in the group stage.
Head Coach Brian Ssenyondo, speaking after the match, lauded his players for showing “character, spirit and resilience.” He praised their maturity: “As tough as Senegal were, we fought for everything on the pitch and deserved to win.” He also singled out Waibi, saying when “everyone is beaten, you need your keeper to stand big in the goal. The small man today stood big in the goal.”
For his part, Waibi reflected on how he had worked on his game after earlier missteps. He said, “I made some mistakes in previous games, but I worked on them with my goalkeeping coach … Those saves … were not easy … I think it was God’s mercy.”
From a wider perspective, the result underscores a dramatic shift in Uganda’s youth football narrative. This is not just a one-off. Their run in Qatar has been full of surprises, and this win over Senegal could be a defining moment; proof that the Cubs are not merely participants, but real contenders.
Uganda now awaits their next assignment in the Round of 16, where they will face Burkina Faso, who eliminated the defending champions Germany in their own Round of 32 tie. The next match promises to be another test;but if this campaign has taught us anything, it’s that these young Ugandans are not afraid, and they know how to make history.
This victory will be celebrated back home, where fans have watched the Cubs make history in their first-ever World Cup appearance. For Uganda, a nation without prior World Cup pedigree at any age level, this run is more than a sporting achievement; it’s a moment of national pride, passion, and collective belief that no matter the odds, they can compete with the best.