Cubs begin CECAFA title quest against Ethiopia and Burundi

Uganda U-17 head coach Laryea Kingston has named a 20-man squad for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers in Rwanda.

The Cubs left Uganda on Tuesday for the tournament, which runs from Saturday to October 19.

Uganda is in Group B with Ethiopia and Burundi, while hosts Rwanda, Sudan and Somalia are in Group A. Defending champions Tanzania are in Group C with Djibouti and Kenya.

Kingston is confident Uganda can challenge for the trophy after finishing runners-up to Tanzania in the previous edition in Ethiopia.

“Our target is to go for the trophy. We have prepared well, and the boys understand what is expected of them in this tournament,” Kingston said.

“We know the competition will be difficult, but we have quality players and we are going to Rwanda believing that we can win the tournament and bring the trophy back home,” he added.

Uganda won two successive CECAFA titles before Tanzania ended their run with a 3-2 victory in last year’s final.

The Cubs have won the championship four times, in 2009, 2018, 2020 and 2024, and reached the final in 2025.

Uganda’s regional success has also helped the team qualify for the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations and FIFA U-17 World Cup in recent years.

Kingston has retained players with international experience, including Henry Muhoozi, Arafaat Ibanda and Nicholas Kawooya, who helped Uganda qualify for the World Cup.

Arsenal academy defender Isaiah Swaibu-Matthews is travelling with the team but will not feature in competitive matches.

FUFA Corporate Affairs Director Ahmed Hussein said Swaibu-Matthews will travel for acclimatisation and international exposure under FUFA’s programme to integrate diaspora and emerging talents into the national youth set-up.

“Also named to the final squad travelling to Kigali is Arsenal’s Isaiah Swaibu-Matthews, who, while not going to feature in competitive action, will travel as part of FUFA’s strategic integration programme for diaspora and emerging talents,” Hussein said.

Swaibu-Matthews is a highly rated right-back who has progressed through Arsenal’s Hale End academy. He is eligible to represent England, Jamaica or Uganda.

The Cubs also have 16-year-old striker Sebastian Fisher, who is linked to Scottish club Partick Thistle.

Fisher and his 18-year-old brother Olly were born in Scotland but qualify to represent Uganda through their mother, Kate, who was born in Uganda. Olly qualifies for the Uganda Hippos, the U-20 national team.

Their grandparents lived in Uganda for about four to five years, with their grandfather teaching at a secondary school before Kate was born.

The brothers learned of Uganda’s interest about six months ago after their father spoke to a football consultant at a match in Nigeria. They later attended U-17 and U-20 training camps.

Uganda first played in the CECAFA U-17 Championship in 2007 in Burundi, where they exited at the group stage. They won the 2009 edition in Sudan, 2018 in Burundi, 2020 in Rwanda and 2024 in Uganda.

Uganda missed the 2022 edition before returning in 2025 in Ethiopia, where they reached the final and lost to Tanzania.

The top teams in each group will automatically qualify for the semi-final stage, while the best second-placed team from all three groups will also join them in the semis.

The two finalists and the winner of the play-off for third place will qualify to play at the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Full Squad

Goalkeepers

Rodrick Collins Obbo (KCCA Junior Team), David Dean Segirinya (Rays of Grace Soccer Academy), Godfrey Mubiru (AMUS College).

Defenders

Martin Paecel Kayiwa (URA Junior Team), Mutawakali Sumaku (Rays of Grace Academy), Abdulshafie Jemba Ukasha (KCCA Junior Team), Najib Kivumbi (Excel Soccer Academy), Abudallah Wandera (Rays of Grace Soccer Academy), Shaldon Ssevume (KS Sparta 09), Isaiah Swaibu Matthews (Arsenal FC).

Midfielders

Henry Muhoozi (AMUS College), Yusuf Ssenyonga (Bukedea Comprehensive School), Arnold Kayemba (El Cambio Academy), Jeremiah Bwire (Jinja S.S.), Joseph Ssebufuu (Kampala Junior Team).

Forwards

Richard Harold Egwangu (Buckswood School Football Academy, England), Junior Ofoythe (El Cambio Soccer Academy), Nicholas Kawooya (Budoo SS), Arafaat Ibanda (Ebenezer Soccer Academy), Sebastian Fisher (Partick Thistle).