Uganda qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup after beating Ghana 8-7 on penalties following a dramatic 2-2 draw in their TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 play-off on Saturday night.
The Cubs looked to be heading out after Ghana led deep into added time, but Arafat Ibanda scored a 90+1 minute penalty to force the match into a shootout.
Uganda then converted all eight of their penalties, while Ghana missed their final kick through Joseph Kpoeti to suffer a painful end to their campaign.
The victory means Uganda join Mozambique as the two teams to qualify through the play-off route, completing Africa’s 10 representatives for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The eight U-17 AFCON quarter-finalists — Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Tanzania and Algeria — had already booked their World Cup places.
Ghana made a strong start and went ahead in the ninth minute when Emmanuel Gyamfi finished after being set up by Latif Wunzalgu.
Uganda responded before half-time, with Owen Mukisa scoring in the 34th minute to bring the Cubs level at 1-1.
The Black Starlets restored their lead six minutes after the restart when Wunzalgu, who had assisted the opening goal, turned scorer in the 51st minute.
Ghana then tried to protect their advantage, but Uganda continued to push for a way back into the match.
Their pressure was finally rewarded in added time when Ibanda converted from the penalty spot in the 90+1 minute to make it 2-2 and send the contest to penalties.
The shootout was tense, with both teams showing remarkable composure.
For Ghana, Joseph Narbi, Mark Mensah, Latif Wunzalgu, Michael Nyantakyi, Isaac Barfo, Augustine Appiah and Gavi Yao all scored from the spot.
But Kpoeti missed Ghana’s eighth penalty, giving Uganda the chance to complete the win.
Uganda were flawless from the spot, with John Owino, Henry Muhoozi, Babi Abdulshakur Bashir, Brian Olwa, Ibanda Arafat, Mujaid Mbalire, Musa Suuna and Travor Mubiru all converting.
The result was a major reward for Uganda’s resilience after they missed out on the quarter-finals but kept their World Cup dream alive through the play-offs.
For Ghana, it was a devastating conclusion after they had already shown character in the group stage by beating South Africa 3-1 to remain in contention.
The Black Starlets had finished level on four points with Algeria in Group D, but Algeria advanced to the quarter-finals after the drawing of lots.
Ghana were therefore forced into the play-off route, where they came within moments of qualification before Uganda’s late equaliser changed the match.
The play-offs were introduced because Africa has 10 places at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, with the two additional tickets going to the winners of the classification matches.
Earlier on Saturday, Mozambique beat Ethiopia 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw to claim the first play-off ticket.
Uganda’s win over Ghana secured the final place and confirmed the full African line-up for the global tournament.
Africa’s qualified teams for the FIFA U-17 World Cup
Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Tanzania, Algeria, Mozambique and Uganda
