Uganda’s young stars return to the World Cup spotlight on Saturday with a chance to rewrite the narrative of their historic debut campaign. The Cubs square up against Chile U17 at Aspire Zone – Pitch 8, later today in a matchup that already feels like a crossroads moment.
Their opening game against Canada ended in heartbreak, a late 2–1 defeat that stung not because they played poorly, but because they were moments away from a statement result. Yet within the camp, frustration has quickly morphed into resolve. The players know the mission hasn’t changed: get out of the group, by any respectable means necessary.
Last evening we wrapped up training, today we play against Chile in the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 at 3:30 PM.#U17WC pic.twitter.com/GnN9oeh3mc
— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) November 8, 2025
For goalkeeper Mazige Gilbert, who stood between the posts in his first-ever World Cup outing, the emotions were bittersweet. A childhood dream realized, yes, but also a reminder of how thin the margins are at this level.
“For me as an individual, I felt good playing my first game at the World Cup. It is everyone’s dream to play on such a stage, and I was so happy to get that chance,” Mazige reflected. “I tried my level best to help the team win, but maybe that’s what God gave us. We are now focused on our next game tomorrow, and I promise to give my best so that we can win and qualify for the next round.”
Head Coach Brian Ssenyondo is equally composed. One loss hasn’t shaken his conviction, and his message is the same: stay on course, trust the process, and take the next chance with sharper intent.
“Our primary goal here is to progress from the group stages, and football gives you many chances. Tomorrow, we have another opportunity to achieve that target, if we win, we will be back in contention,” Ssenyondo explained. “We played good football against Canada and gave a strong fight. Any team can lose that way, but the most important thing is to pick lessons and apply them in the next game.”
Ssenyondo and his technical team have been deep in the video archives, trying to crack a Chile side that isn’t easy to pry open:
“They play in a 1-5-3-2 system, which shows they are very compact at the back and avoid conceding easily. We’ve studied their style, and I believe we can break them down and get the goals we need.”
Uganda Cubs starting XI against Chile U-17
🕞 Kick-off 3:30PM#UGACHL | #U17WC pic.twitter.com/Piu2ZoDcLs
— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) November 8, 2025
The Cubs wrapped up their final training session at the Al Thumama Stadium training grounds earlier this evening. From body language to tempo, everything suggested a squad shaking off the disappointment of Matchday one and leaning fully into a do-or-die opportunity.
Saturday’s fixture won’t just test their tactics, it will test their character. And if the mood in camp is anything to go by, the Cubs are ready to roar back.
