Written By | Alex Mbamanya
Ukasha Jemba cerebrates with commrades after putting Uganda in the lead
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Kigali
The Uganda Cubs have qualified for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the third consecutive time after delivering one of their best performances at the ongoing men’s U17 CECAFA Championship in Kigali, Rwanda, defeating Ethiopia 4-0 in the semi-finals on Saturday.
Ukasha Jemba opened the scoring with a strike from outside the 18-yard box to give the Cubs an early lead before Arnold Kayemba doubled their advantage two minutes later. The goal took Kayemba’s tally to four in the tournament, putting him among the leading contenders for the Golden Boot.
Cubs players cerebrate with Yusuf Ssenyonjo who scored twice
Midfielder Yusuf Ssenyange then scored twice to complete the emphatic victory, leaving Ethiopia with no response and securing Uganda’s place in next year’s AFCON. The Cubs maintained their four-goal advantage throughout the second half.
Head coach Leryea Kingston praised the players for their performance, saying the qualification demonstrated that the team’s development project was taking shape positively.
Uganda Cubs celebrate Arnold Kayemba goal
Kingston dedicated the victory to his first assistant, Steven Bengo, whom he praised for assembling and managing the team during the two weeks he had been away with the Uganda U20 team in Tanzania.
Meanwhile, Somalia defeated hosts Rwanda 5-4 in a penalty shootout after the two sides had played out a 1-1 draw in normal time.
Happy Uganda Cubs players and coaches after the final whistle
The final, which will feature Uganda and Somalia, is scheduled for Monday, following the third-place play-off. The two finalists, Uganda and Somalia, have automatically qualified for next year’s AFCON tournament in Ghana. The third qualifying slot for the CECAFA region will be decided by the winner of the third-place play-off between Rwanda and Ethiopia.
