Uganda Rhinos let victory slip through their fingers, losing 4-3 to Kyrgyz Republic after conceding twice in the closing six minutes of their opening match at the FIFA U-15 World Cup & Festival 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday.

Angello Kasumba scored twice, and Ivan Kiganda added a goal, but the Rhinos were left empty-handed after a dramatic finish at the Hovsan Competition Complex.

Kyrgyz Republic took the lead through Elkhan Myimanbaev in the fifth minute, but Uganda responded seven minutes later when Kiganda equalised.

Kasumba then completed the turnaround in the 23rd minute, finishing a well-worked move to give Uganda a 2-1 lead.

The contest remained tight, with Baiel Zhanyshbekov drawing Kyrgyz Republic level in the 31st minute. Kasumba responded almost immediately, beating his marker before scoring his second goal of the game to put Uganda back in front at 3-2.

However, the Rhinos failed to hold on. Nurel Asylbekov equalised for the Kyrgyz Republic in the 34th minute before Zhanyshbekov struck again with a minute of regulation time remaining to complete his brace and seal a 4-3 victory.

The defeat overshadowed an impressive attacking display from Kasumba, the El Cambio Soccer Academy youngster, and Kiganda, whose goals had put Uganda in a strong position.

Uganda also picked up two yellow cards, with Ashiraf Kyeswa booked in the 18th minute and Najib Zizinga in the 26th. Kyrgyz Republic’s Ilimbek Ernisbekov was cautioned in the final minute.

Anthony Bongole’s side must now regroup quickly, with two matches scheduled for Sunday, October 25. The Rhinos are set to face Equatorial Guinea and Cabo Verde before taking on Ecuador and Tonga on Monday, October 26.

The inaugural competition is being played in an 8v8 format, with each match lasting 40 minutes, split into two 20-minute halves.

Results in the qualification stage determine which of six performance tiers each nation enters for the tournament phase. Every team will remain in action regardless of its group-stage results.