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Uganda Cubs came second to Tanzania at a two-week tournament
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Sports Desk
The Uganda Cubs settled for silver at the CECAFA U17 Championship after a 3-2 defeat to rivals Tanzania in the final played at Abebe Bikila Stadium in Addis Ababa, as the two-week tournament came to an end.
Uganda, who were seeking to defend their title, conceded early to tournament joint top scorer Razack Juma but quickly responded through Thomas Ogema, who scored his sixth goal of the campaign. However, Tanzania added two more goals through Juma and Luqman Mbalasalu to take a commanding lead into halftime.
Uganda suffered further setbacks after losing defender Eze Kombi and winger Nicholas Kawooya to injury, with Abdulshakur Babi and Travor Mubiru replacing them. Despite the changes, Tanzania remained well-organized.
Head coach Layrea Kingston later introduced Brian Olwa, Ashraf Kyakuwa, and Arnold Kayemba for tournament MVP and captain Owen Mukisa, Lorian Lwesibawa, and Ogema. The substitutions increased Uganda’s pressure, resulting in Kayemba being fouled in the box, but Fahad Ismail’s penalty was saved.
Olwa pulled one back in stoppage time, but it proved only a consolation as Tanzania held firm.
Tanzania, Uganda, and Ethiopia—who beat Kenya 3-0 in the third-place playoff—will represent CECAFA at the 2026 AFCON in Morocco.
Other Pictures 
Tanzania goalkeeper made the difference
Uganda captain Owen Mukisa won the MVP accolade 
Uganda Cubs cerebrate Ogema goal 
Ogema scored for Uganda Cubs
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