Uganda Cubs will face Morocco in the upcoming U-17 Africa Cup of Nations with a bigger eye on sealing qualification to the World Cup.
Uganda’s U-17 national football team, the Cubs, have been handed a stern test in the 2025 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after being drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco.
The draw, conducted at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday, placed Uganda in a group featuring Zambia and regional rivals Tanzania, setting up a thrilling contest for a place in the knockout stages.
The Cubs head into the tournament with a psychological edge over Tanzania, having defeated them twice in last year’s CECAFA U-17 Qualifiers.
Uganda clinched the zonal championship in December with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tanzania in the final at Nakivubo Stadium, having already edged them by the same scoreline in the group stage.
Elsewhere in the competition, Group B comprises Burkina Faso, South Africa, and an as-yet-unconfirmed North African team.
Reigning champions Senegal will battle The Gambia, Somalia, and Tunisia in Group C, while Group D features Mali, Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, and another yet-to-be-determined North African side.
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Ugandan defender Kassaga Juuko Richard joins an Iraqi top-flight club after impressive spells in Tunisia and Libya.
For the first time, the U-17 AFCON has been expanded from 12 to 16 teams, with the competition set to run from 30th March to 19th April 2025.
The stakes are higher than ever, as 10 African nations will secure places at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, scheduled to take place in Qatar from 5th to 27th November.
The top two teams from each AFCON group will earn automatic qualification for the global tournament, while the four third-placed sides will battle it out in play-offs for the final two slots.
This will be Uganda’s second appearance at the U-17 AFCON, having made their debut in 2019 when Tanzania hosted the tournament.
The Cubs had also qualified for the 2021 edition in Morocco, but the competition was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a rich blend of talent and momentum from their CECAFA triumph, Uganda will be eager to make their mark on the continental stage and chase a historic berth at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
