Uganda U-17 head coach Brian Ssenyondo believes the team’s training camp in Dubai has been an invaluable stepping stone ahead of their historic appearance at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar.
Speaking to the press after a spirited 3–2 loss to Paraguay in their final build-up match on Tuesday night, Ssenyondo said the experience of facing world-class youth teams has given his side a clearer picture of what to expect on the global stage.
“I am thankful that we have had this camp, so I want to thank the Federation for this initiative as it has given us a real picture of what we are going to find in the World Cup,” he said. “When you see the teams we have played, they come from the same region as our group opponents Canada and Chile, so this means a lot.”
The U17 Men’s National Team (Uganda Cubs) had a training session at Police Sports and Shooting Ground today evening.
The team continues preparations ahead of the FIFA U17 World Cup due 3-27 November in Qatar.
Uganda Cubs will play their first group game against Canada on 5th… pic.twitter.com/bSO2FTwMKL
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The young Cubs impressed with their attacking approach throughout the camp, taking the lead in all three fixtures, a 1–1 draw against Venezuela, a narrow 2–1 defeat to Panama, and the 3–2 thriller against Paraguay. Ssenyondo highlighted that as a sign of the team’s growing confidence but admitted there is still room for improvement in key areas.
“The good thing is that in all three games we have scored first, which shows our attacking potential,” he noted. “What we need to improve is defending and game management. I believe by the time we play our first match in Qatar, everything will be in place.”
Despite the absence of a win, the coach described the camp as a success, emphasizing that the players displayed determination and adaptability against high-calibre opponents. He said the lessons learned from the tour would be crucial as the team prepares for the intensity of World Cup competition.
The Cubs are placed in Group K alongside Canada, Chile, and France. They will open their campaign on November 5 against Canada, aiming to carry their newfound confidence and cohesion into the biggest tournament of their young careers.
