Uganda Cubs commence FIFA World Cup dream on false note after heavy loss to hosts Morocco | AFCON U-17

AFCON U-17 (Group A):

• Morocco 5-0 Uganda

The Uganda U-17 national team (The Cubs) suffered a humiliating 0-5 defeat to Morocco as the AFCON U-17 championships kicked off at the El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia in Eastern Morocco.

Ilies Belmokhtar and Ziyad Baha Abedlahaj led the damage with a brace apiece as Driss Ait Chiekh got the other goal on the day Eid was celebrated.

The hosts needed just three minutes to take the lead through Belmokhtar’s header past goalkeeper Ashraf Lukyamuzi.

Nigerien referee Sadou Ali Brahamou needed a VAR review to confirm the goal after an off-side call.

Morocco doubled their lead in the 8^th minute, thanks to Chiekh’s strike to establish a 2-0 lead inside the opening 10 minutes.

It was 3-0 after 23 minutes when Abedlahaji fired home a penalty, again given after a VAR review.

Belmokhtar had his brace moments before the half-time for a comfortable 4-0 lead coming to the mandatory recess prior to the second stanza.

The icing on the already baked cake was applied by Belmokhtar with 19 minutes to play following a mistake by the goalkeeper Lukyamuzi.

Efforts by the Uganda Cubs to pull back at least a goal by Simon Wanyama and Elvis Torach were foiled by the Moroccan shot stopper Chouaib Bellaarouch, who features at the Mohammed VI Academy.

Before this match, Uganda Cubs had played two international friendly matches in Morocco; losing in both matches to West African opposition Burkina Faso and Cameroon 2-3 and 3-4 respectively.

Morocco, christened as the Atlas Cubs goes aloft of group A with three points and a healthy five goals advantage.

Zambia and Tanzania are the other two countries in group A.

10 African countries will qualify to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.

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