Paraguay mounted a spirited comeback to defeat Uganda 3–2 in a pulsating U-17 Dubai Youth Challenge Cup encounter on Tuesday evening at the Al Hamriya Cultural and Sports Club.
Despite twice taking the lead, the Uganda Cubs were undone by the South Americans’ resilience and sharp finishing in what proved to be an entertaining contest under the floodlights.
James Bogere and Abubakali Walusimbi struck for Brian Ssenyondo’s charges, while Alan Ledesma, Almada Derlis, and De Carvalho Mauricio found the net for Paraguay.
📷 Uganda Cubs warming up at Al Hamriya Cultural and Sports Club ahead of the International Friendly match against Paraguay U-17.
Kick off — 6:00 PM#PARUGA | #InternationalFriendly pic.twitter.com/PHuCChykYf
— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) October 28, 2025
Uganda began brightly, and their enterprise paid off midway through the first half when Bogere latched onto a loose ball to fire home the opener in the 24th minute. However, the joy was short-lived as Paraguay restored parity five minutes before halftime through Ledesma’s confidently dispatched penalty.
Moments later, Almada completed the turnaround with a precise effort on the stroke of halftime to send Paraguay into the break with a 2–1 advantage.
Ssenyondo’s boys returned from the interval with renewed energy, and Walusimbi deservedly brought the sides level ten minutes into the second period after a sweeping attacking move.
But with 19 minutes to play, Paraguay’s De Carvalho punished a lapse in concentration at the back to slot home the decisive goal and secure maximum points for the South Americans.
The result marked Uganda’s second defeat in the tournament, following their 2–1 loss to Panama on Sunday, a game in which Simon Wanyama had also given the East Africans an early advantage before Gordon Gerson and Richards Moises turned it around for the Central Americans.
Uganda had earlier opened their campaign with a 1–1 draw against Venezuela, courtesy of another Bogere strike.
Full-Time. Paraguay U-17 3️⃣-2️⃣ Uganda U-17#PARUGA | #InternationalFriendly pic.twitter.com/IScBh3zwDs
— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) October 28, 2025
The Dubai Youth Challenge Cup serves as the final test for the participating nations ahead of the historic FIFA U-17 World Cup set for Qatar from November 3 to 27, 2025.
The Cubs have been drawn in Group K alongside Canada, Chile, and France, a landmark appearance marking Uganda’s maiden qualification for any FIFA-organized World Cup tournament.
