U-17 AFCON: Cameroon edge Uganda in tight Group B clash

Abdoulraman Soudeisse’s first half goal was the difference in a closely contested 1-0 victory for Cameroon over Uganda in their Group B duel from the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (U-17 AFCON).

The midfielder struck after Uganda goalkeeper Ashraf Lukyamuzi failed to properly deal with a left-wing cross from Abas Moussa Cherif. The ball fell kindly for Soudeisse whose shot took a deflection past Lukyamuzi for the only goal of the match in the 24th minute.

Uganda could consider themselves unfortunate. After a decisive 3-0 victory over DR Congo in their opening match, the Cubs came out eager to seize the initiative and were the better team for long stretches in the opening twenty minutes.

However, they went silent after Soudeisse’s goal. Cameroon seized the initiative and proceeded to be the better team for the remainder of the match, securing a satisfying result to bounce back from a disappointing 0-2 defeat to Ivory Coast in their opening match.

They now move firmly into contention to qualify for the knockout stages out of Group B, where Ivory Coast will hope to make it two wins from two matches when they face DR Congo later on Saturday evening in Morocco.

FULL-TIME! 🇨🇲🇺🇬

First three points for Cameroon. #TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 pic.twitter.com/EMPS9R3D56

— CAF Online (@CAF_Online) May 16, 2026

Next up for Les Lionceaux is a clash against fellow UNIFFAC representatives DR Congo, where avoiding defeat will certainly qualify them for the knockout stages and guarantee a place at the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year in Qatar.

Uganda will have to face group favorites Ivory Coast, knowing that a defeat will likley condemn them to a tense qualifying playoff for third place teams where the winner will advance to the World Cup while the loser will face disappointment. All of the quarterfinalists who finish in the top two positions from the two groups will be guaranteed qualification fo the U-17 World Cup finals.