Uganda’s U-17 team steps into the World Cup Round of 32 tomorrow with belief soaring and momentum finally on their side, and head coach Brian Ssenyondo insists his charges are primed for another historic stride when they face African giants Senegal in Doha on Saturday.
Fresh off snatching their first-ever FIFA U-17 World Cup win in a dramatic 1–0 win against France, the Cubs now turn their focus to a familiar continental foe, one that has haunted Ugandan football across various age groups, but one Ssenyondo says his boys are no longer afraid of.
“We’ve grown with every minute we’ve played at this tournament,” Ssenyondo said on the eve of the knockout clash. “What the boys showed against France and Chile; resilience, personality, and the courage to play our football, gives us confidence going into Senegal,” he told the press.
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“We respect them, but we don’t fear them. We are ready for the fight. The group has matured quickly, they’ve shown they can respond to pressure, and now it’s about stepping onto that pitch and proving we belong in the last 16. The boys know what this means for Uganda, and they are ready to give everything,” he added.
Ssenyondo’s conviction stems from a group that has visibly sharpened since their opening setback against Canada. The battling draw with Chile and stunning win over France showcased a team growing in tactical cohesion, transitioning with pace, and refusing to bow to pedigree, qualities they must reproduce against a Senegal side known for its physicality, direct power, and relentless pressing game.
With Uganda already having scored thrice and shown backbone on the biggest youth stage, tomorrow’s encounter promises both peril and possibility.
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A place in the last 16 awaits the winner, and for the Cubs, the mission is simple: carry the spirit of Doha, meet Senegal’s fire with their own, and continue rewriting the nation’s World Cup story.
