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Bogere Cerebrates with a teammate
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The Uganda Men’s National U17 team — the Uganda Cubs — played to a 1-1 draw with fellow FIFA World Cup–bound Venezuela in their first international build-up match ahead of the global showpiece slated for November 3–27 in Qatar. The match, played last evening at Al Arabi Sports and Cultural Club in Dubai, where the team is currently camping, saw striker James Bogere put the Cubs ahead in the 52nd minute after brilliant spadework from midfielder Isima Mulala Magala.
Uganda Cubs team that started against Venezuela
However, the Venezuelans equalised in the 74th minute after regrouping and pressing forward, eventually finding the back of the net from a quick throw-in that caught Uganda’s defence off guard, beating goalkeeper Gilbert Mazige.
Head Coach Brian Ssenyondo praised his players for their discipline, confidence, and ability to translate their training sessions into game situations. “It was a tough game, but we dominated from the first minute,” Ssenyondo said after the match. “If you look at the entire game, especially the first half, we could have gone into the break with about five goals because we created so many chances. In the second half, we should have converted at least three or four from the opportunities we had.”
The Uganda and Venezuela team captains and match officials
Following the encounter with Venezuela, the Cubs are set to face Panama and Paraguay, both South American sides drawn in Group J of the Qatar tournament. Uganda will play Panama on Sunday, October 26, and Paraguay on Tuesday, October 28 as part of their preparatory fixtures.
Venezuela are pooled in Group E alongside England, Haiti, and Egypt, while both Panama and Paraguay will face Uzbekistan and the Republic of Ireland.
Bogere Cerebrates his goal against Venezuela
Uganda, meanwhile, is drawn in Group K alongside Canada, Chile, and France. The Cubs will open their campaign against Canada on November 5, before taking on Chile on November 8, and wrapping up the group stage against France on November 11.
Torch Media Africa
