Uganda's national U-17 team, the Cubs, were crowned champions of the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers after edging Somalia 6-5 on penalty shootouts following a goalless draw in the final played at Kigali Pele Stadium on Monday. In a tightly contested encounter, both sides displayed defensive discipline and determination, with neither team able to find a breakthrough during regulation time. The match ultimately had to be decided from the penalty spot, where Uganda held their nerve to claim the regional title. The victory capped an impressive campaign for the Cubs, who successfully navigated the tournament to lift the trophy and secure qualification for the 2027 U-17 AFCON finals in Morocco. Despite falling short in the final, Somalia earned widespread praise for their spirited performance throughout the competition. The young Ocean Stars matched Uganda for long spells and created several promising opportunities but were unable to convert them into goals. The shootout proved heartbreak for Somalia as Uganda converted six penalties to Somalia's five, sparking celebrations among the Ugandan players and technical bench. While Uganda celebrated the championship, Somalia left Kigali with their heads held high after securing a historic qualification for the continental showpiece by reaching the final. The two East African nations will now represent the CECAFA region at the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where they will seek to build on their encouraging performances during the qualifiers. For Uganda, the triumph highlights the progress being made in youth football development, while Somalia's impressive run underlined the growing potential of the country's emerging generation of players. The final brought an exciting conclusion to the CECAFA qualifiers, with Uganda emerging as regional champions and Somalia earning admiration for a courageous campaign that secured their place among Africa's best youth teams.
