TotalEnergies CAF U-17 AFCON: James Bogere Sends Uganda to Qatar

For the first time in its history, a Ugandan team will take part in a FIFA World Cup.

The Ugandans won their play-off clash 2–1 against the The Gambia, securing their ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 in Qatar.

The Ugandan forward, who coolly netted a brace, was the saviour in a tense encounter against a determined Gambian side. Already influential during the group stage, Bogere confirmed his status as a key player at a crucial moment, propelling the East African nation into a new era.

Trailing 1–0 after Gambia opened the scoring in the opening seconds, the young Cranes never panicked. The equaliser came just before half-time, with Bogere finishing cleanly after a perfectly weighted pass slipped in behind the defence.

In the second half, Uganda created numerous dangerous opportunities, driven by a dominant midfield and a focused defence. The winner came in the 78th minute, when Bogere struck a clinical cross-shot following a pinpoint assist from the excellent Yusuf Ssekamatte.

The final whistle sparked an eruption of joy on the Ugandan bench.

A historic qualification, the result of an ambitious youth development project and a close-knit squad.