Written By | Aloysius Byamukama
Lwesibawa cerebrates his second goal
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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
The Uganda Men’s U17 team, the Cubs, qualified for the continental showpiece after beating hosts Ethiopia 3–0 in the semifinals of the CECAFA Zone, advancing to the finals of the championship set for Tuesday.
Uganda made their mark and kept alive hopes of retaining the title, with goals from Lorian Lwesibawa, Thomas Ogema, and an own goal that silenced the fully packed Abebe Bikila Stadium and set up a repeat of the 2024 final against rivals Tanzania, who beat Kenya 3–1 in the first semifinal.
Uganda Cubs bet Ethiopia 3-0 advancing to the final with Tanzania on Tuesday
The first half ended goalless, with neither side finding the net, although Ethiopia—boosted by fantastic home support—created the better chances.
But upon restart, Uganda forced a corner, which Lwesibawa swung onto the head of a leaping Ethiopian defender, looping into his own net. Ogema later capitalized on a loose clearance to score his fourth goal of the campaign, and when Lwesibawa curved in a free kick into the top corner, the contest was all but finished.
Uganda coach Layrea Kingston made five changes, bringing on Arnold Kayemba, Brian Olwa, Travor Mubiru, Joseph Langol and Abdulshakur Babi for team captain Owen Mukisa, Ogema, Shakur Ngobi, Lwesibawa and Nickolas Kawooya, though this was when the result was already beyond doubt.
Thomas Ogema cerebrates his goal with teamates
Kingston said qualification was important and that winning the title would be a great achievement, but emphasized that the most important thing is seeing the young players exhibit good football and apply what they have been taught off the pitch.
Ethiopia head coach Benjamin Ziemer, who led his side to the top of Group A but fell to Uganda in the semifinals, acknowledged that Uganda were stronger in all areas of the game and remain the top side in the region. He, however, noted positive progress in the youth team he assembled for the championship, with support from the Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF).
Ethiopia team
The finals are set for Tuesday evening, with Group B sides Tanzania and Uganda facing off in a repeat of last year’s final, where Uganda won 2–1 to lift the trophy, before the two sides met again in this year’s group stage, where Tanzania won 2–1 in Dire Dawa.
Having secured tickets to the 2026 AFCON finals in Morocco, both finalists will now wait to see who joins them, as Group A sides Ethiopia and Kenya battle for the third and final slot in the third-place playoff preceding the final.
Torch Media Africa
