Uganda Cubs eye World Cup ticket as U-17 AFCON begins in Morocco
Uganda returns to the continental tournament for the third time after previous appearances in 2019 and 2025.
U-17 are put through their paces in Morocco ahead of the tournament opener against DR Congo on Wednesday. (Courtesy photos)
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2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations
Wednesday
Egypt v Ethiopia 4 pm
Ivory Coast v Cameroon 4 pm
Uganda v DR Congo 7 pm
Morocco v Tunisia 10 pm
The Uganda national under-17 football team will begin their campaign at the 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations with a Group B clash against the DR Congo national under-17 football team on Wednesday in Morocco.
Uganda returns to the continental tournament for the third time after previous appearances in 2019 and 2025.
The team secured qualification after finishing as runners-up at the CECAFA U-17 qualifiers held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Uganda reached the final after an impressive campaign before narrowly losing 3-2 to Tanzania, having defeated the same opponents in the previous year’s final.
“This aspect is very important. Technically and physically, the players are ready, but we are focusing heavily on the tactical and especially the mental side of the game,” Kingston said.
The coach explained that helping the players enjoy the experience without pressure remains a major part of his philosophy.
“We want them to understand the opportunity they have and to enjoy the experience because when players are enjoying themselves, performances usually follow. Our approach is not to place excessive pressure on them, but rather to allow them to express themselves freely,” he added.
Uganda wrapped up preparations strongly with friendly victories over Mali and Mozambique, edging Mali 1-0 before defeating Mozambique 3-1 last week.
The coach wants the current team to build on the progress shown by Uganda’s previous U-17 generation, which impressed at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2025 by reaching the Round of 16 after defeating France and Senegal before losing to Burkina Faso on penalties.
“The previous U-17 performed very well. We need to do the same. Since I joined, I introduced my style of play, and they have been adapting,” Kingston explained.
He also revealed that the technical team worked on weaknesses identified during the CECAFA qualifiers, especially recovery and player expression.
“During CECAFA, we had weaknesses in our recovery. For the first two weeks in camp, we took it slowly. I told them to express themselves more, and so far I see them improving,” he said.
Uganda has been drawn into a difficult Group B alongside DR Congo, two-time champions Cameroon and WAFU B champions Côte d’Ivoire national under-17 football team.
The Cubs will face Cameroon two days after the opener before completing the group stage against Côte d’Ivoire on May 19.
All quarter-finalists at the tournament will automatically qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026, making every group match crucial.
Uganda will rely on several standout players, including midfielder Owen Mukisa, who was named Best Player at the CECAFA qualifiers. Mukisa has been one of the team’s most creative players and will be key in midfield.
Forward Thomas Ogema is Uganda’s main attacking threat after scoring four goals during qualification, while midfielder Henry Muhoozi will also bring composure and balance in midfield.
Their opening opponents, DR Congo, are among the tournament’s debutants and arrive in Morocco after finishing runners-up at the UNIFFAC qualifiers in Kinshasa.
Coached by Denis Makenga Mulamba, DR Congo impressed during qualification with victories over Gabon and the Central African Republic before losing 2-0 to Cameroon in the final round.
The Congolese side will depend heavily on striker Delpierot Ntali, who finished as the top scorer at the qualifiers with three goals. Winger Séraphin Ntantu and forward Titi Exaucé are also expected to play key roles.
Another major challenge in Uganda’s group will come from Cameroon, one of the tournament favourites.
Cameroon is making its 10th appearance at the U-17 AFCON and has previously won the competition twice, in 2003 and 2019. The Central Africans qualified after dominating the UNIFFAC qualifiers, recording victories over Gabon, the Central African Republic and DR Congo.
Their key players include winger Rony Baliag Nougi, captain Krys Karel, winger Omar Amir Tsombeng and defender Essingila Mbinde.
Côte d’Ivoire also enters the tournament among the favourites after winning the WAFU B qualifiers on home soil in Yamoussoukro.
The Ivorians, who won the U-17 AFCON title in 2013, defeated Ghana on penalties in the regional final and arrived in Morocco with confidence.
Key players for Côte d’Ivoire include forward Bema Doumbia, playmaker Cheick Malo and goalkeeper Adama Diabaté, who starred during qualification.