Burkina Faso sensationally knocked out tournament’s defending Champions, Germany against all expectations to add to Africa impressive showing at the ongoing FIFA U17 World Cup In United Arab Emirate.
A thunderbolt from Mohamed Zongo lit up Qatar 2025 and sent 2023 winners Germany crashing out in a round-of-32 shocker that will echo through the tournament.
It all started with panic at the back: Mussa Kaba’s loose touch fell perfectly for Cherif Barro, who slid Zongo into space down the right.
What followed was pure artistry, a cut inside, a flash of power, and a laser into the far corner that left Germany scrambling for answers.
They thought they’d found one deep into stoppage time when Benno Kaltefleiter bundled home an equaliser in the 97th minute.
But VAR crushed German hope, raising the offside flag and confirming the champions were done. Burkina Faso march on, Germany go home.
Next stop for the Stallions? A blockbuster African clash with the miracle men of Uganda.
UGANDA’S DEBUT DREAM ROLLS ON
The Cranes continue to treat their debut World Cup like a stage made for them. Against continental powerhouse Senegal, they needed just one clean sight of goal and Abubakali Walusimbi made it count, lashing in the first goal Senegal have conceded all tournament.
From there, it was survival by willpower and goalkeeper Edrisah Waibi. Senegal threw everything forward: half-volleys, cut-backs, bodies in the box.
Waibi refused to be beaten, pawing away Mignane Ndour’s rocket and anchoring a defence that bent but never snapped. Senegal saw a penalty overturned, a goal chalked off, and their hopes finally smothered by Uganda’s grit.
Uganda against Burkina Faso now promises to be a full-blooded all-African last-16 duel, belief meets momentum.
JAPAN CRUISE, SOUTH AFRICA CRASH
Elsewhere, Japan put on a clinic. Once Hiroto Asada finally forced the ball over the line, at the third attempt, the floodgates opened. Minato Yoshida capitalised on slack South African defending, and Shota Fujii arrived unmarked to nod in a third. Efficient, ruthless, and never in doubt.
EUROPE AND ASIA FILL OUT THE BRACKET
England, Italy, Japan, Korea DPR, and Austria are all safely through. With Croatia vs Uzbekistan set to close out the round, the last-16 picture is nearly complete, but Africa has already delivered the headline.
Germany is gone. Uganda is flying. Burkina Faso is roaring. Morocco and Mali are also through to the round of 16.
And the U-17 World Cup just got very, very interesting.