For Uganda, encounters with Senegal have long been more than just football matches, they have been tests of spirit, endurance, and belief. From Cairo to Kampala, and now under the bright lights of Qatar, the Lions of Teranga have repeatedly emerged as both mentors and tormentors for Ugandan football.
As the Uganda Cubs gear up for their Round of 32 clash against Senegal at the U-17 FIFA World Cup, fans can’t help but mutter the familiar refrain: “It’s Senegal, yet again.”
This isn’t merely another game on the calendar. It is the latest episode in a story woven with heartbreak, resilience, and hope, a rivalry that has spanned more than a decade.
2012–2013: The opening chapter
The modern tale of Uganda versus Senegal began during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Under coach Micho Sredojević, Uganda faced a Senegalese squad brimming with talent.
In Kampala, the Cranes showed they could stand tall, with Godfrey Walusimbi cancelling out Papiss Cissé’s opener to secure a 1–1 draw. But in Dakar, the West Africans proved why they were feared. Sadio Mané, still a rising star, delivered the decisive goal that ended Uganda’s World Cup dream in Brazil before it could even take flight.
That defeat planted the first seed of what would become one of Uganda’s most enduring football frustrations.
2017: Proof of progress
Four years later, the two sides met in an international friendly. No goals were scored, but the 0–0 draw in Marrakech spoke volumes. Uganda, now more tactically astute, matched one of Africa’s top teams stride for stride.
Though it didn’t make headlines, the match offered hope: Uganda could stand toe-to-toe with Senegal.
U-17 World Cup: Uganda braces for Senegal test as Ssenyondo declares
2019: Curse tightens
Cairo, 2019. The Africa Cup of Nations marked Uganda’s second consecutive appearance after decades in the wilderness.
Led by Sébastien Desabre, the Cranes impressed, reaching the Round of 16 for the first time since 1978. Confidence was high. Belief was alive.
Then came Senegal. Sadio Mané, now a Liverpool superstar, struck the solitary goal that sent Uganda home. Fans coined it “the Senegal curse,” a phrase that would linger ominously in the collective memory of Ugandan football.
Fearless Uganda set for showdown with Senegal in U-17 World Cup playoff
2023: Glimmer of redemption
Uganda finally savoured a rare victory against Senegal during the 2023 CHAN tournament in Algeria. Milton Karisa, captain of Vipers SC, netted the lone goal in a 1–0 triumph.
For one night, the Cranes roared louder than the Lions. It was small, symbolic, and enough to suggest the curse could, perhaps, be broken.
2024: Dreams dashed at home
Co-hosting the African Nations Championship reignited the rivalry. At Namboole Stadium, the Cranes reached the knockout stages for the first time, with fans brimming with hope.
Yet history seemed determined to repeat itself. A single strike from Oumar Ba handed Senegal another 1–0 victory, silencing a stadium alive with anticipation. Uganda had made progress, yet the Lions of Teranga still held the upper hand.
Earlier that year, Uganda had managed a 2–1 friendly win in Tanzania, with Arnold Odong and Patrick Kakande scoring, while Moctar Koita netted for Senegal. Encouraging, yes, but it could not erase the sting of competitive defeat.
The Cubs are safe in the Den!
Qualified to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Round of 32#U17WC pic.twitter.com/lkIRjWansA
— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) November 11, 2025
2025: The Cubs take the stage
Now, in Qatar, it is the Uganda Cubs carrying the nation’s hopes.
For the first time in history, a Ugandan national team, at any level, is competing in a FIFA World Cup tournament. Under Brian Ssenyondo, the Cubs have already made history by reaching the knockout stage.
And yet, fate has dealt them a familiar hand: Senegal, the perennial obstacle, awaits.
Breaking the cycle
For these young Cubs, Saturday’s clash is far more than a match, it is a chance to rewrite history.
They carry the dreams of those who came before: players defeated in Cairo, fans silenced at Namboole, and generations of Ugandans who dared to hope that one day, the nation would shake free from Senegal’s shadow.
Senegal arrive with pedigree, power, and pride. Uganda brings something stronger: heart, hunger, and the determination to make history.
