The national Under-17 team the Cubs showed a remarkable fighting spirit coming from a goal down to force a 1-1 draw against Tanzania in their opening game at the Under-17 CECAFA Youth Championship in Burundi on Sunday.
The Cubs trailed through a 36th-minute strike from Tanzania’s Jaffar Juma and looked to have dropped all three points until the late intervention of Moses Bakkabulindi.
The attacking midfielder who turns out for Vipers Junior Team in the domestic league scored in the closing moments to ensure a share of the spoils.
Onduparaka Junior Team pair of Anthony Kenty and Iddi Abdulwahid who has 12 league goals were on the bench for the Cubs who are seeking to retain the regional title.
The tournament is returning after a nine year break with the Ugandan team then comprising of the likes of Daniel Serunkuma, Isaac Muleme, Ken Tumusiime, Farouq Sentongo and Sulait Luyima then helped to win the title.
Uganda is placed in the four-team Group B that also includes Sudan and Zanzibar.
Eight teams are taking part in the competition in which the top two teams in each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
Uganda returns to action on Wednesday against Sudan before completing their group games against Zanzibar on April 22.
In the opening day’s action, Kenya kicked off their campaign in a game officiated by Ugandan referee Wilberforce Oloya with a comprehensive 4-0 win over hosts Burundi on Saturday.
A second-half brace by Isaiah Abwal in addition to first-half goals by Christopher Raila and Nicholas Omondi saw Kenya take the early initiative in Group A.
Uganda Cubs starting XI: George William Oluka, Musa Jagwe, Joseph Kafumbe, Ibrahim Ekellot,Gavin Mugweri Kizito(Captain),Gerald Kirya, Moses Bakabulindi, Andrew Kawooya, Sula Mpanga,Thomas Kakaire, Ivan Asaba
Substitutes: Ronald Kiberu,Daniel Ssemwogerere, Owen Mukisa,Rogers Mugisha,Davis Sekajja, Anthony Kenty,Idd Abduwalid,Juma Ibrahim,Jimmy Muber
Result
Uganda 1-1 Tanzania
Wednesday fixture: Uganda vs Sudan
Sunday: Uganda vs Zanzibar
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