Uganda’s U-17 national team captain Owen Mukisa has made it clear that the young Cubs are not just heading to continental competition to participate, they are chasing a place on the global stage.
The promising side has been undergoing intensive preparations at the FUFA Technical Centre since March 10, sharpening both fitness and tactical cohesion ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, which will kick off on April 25 in Morocco.
Early signs from camp point to a team growing in confidence and attacking sharpness. In their most recent build-up match, the Cubs delivered a commanding 11-1 triumph over Progressive High School, underlining their offensive intent.
Kingston unveils squad as Uganda U-17 kick off AFCON 2026 preparations
Mukisa, who turns out for the Vipers junior side, believes the team’s steady progress is translating into belief within the squad.
“There has been improvement because we scored more goals. The players in camp are all giving 100% and we will be going to AFCON with a target of securing a place in the World Cup,” he told the press.
The stakes at the upcoming tournament are significant. Ten teams from the U-17 AFCON will secure qualification to the FIFA U-17 World Cup, scheduled for November in Qatar.
Guiding the Cubs is head coach Laryea Kingston, who is working alongside a technical bench that includes Steven Bengo, Ibrahim Saddam Juma, and Yasin Mugabi.
Uganda U17 head coach Kingston Laryea monitoring every movement of his Cubs during training at the FUFA Technical Centre, Njeru.#TotalEnergiesAFCONU17 preparations pic.twitter.com/LooVkf2uCx
— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) March 24, 2026
Kingston has been encouraged by the team’s development curve, pointing to noticeable strides in both structure and execution.
“Progress has been encouraging; the team is doing very well. We’re taking it one day at a time, and we’re confident they are at the required fitness levels,” stated coach Kingston.
“The first game was solid, and we saw even more improvement in the second. There has been clear progress in team dynamics, both in possession and out of possession, across different phases of play. We’re on the right track and looking forward to the start of the competition. We’ll be ready for any opponent placed in front of us.”
Uganda booked their slot at the continental showpiece after an impressive run to the final of the CECAFA U-17 Championship, where they narrowly fell 3-2 to Tanzania.
As things stand, the list of confirmed participants for the 2026 U-17 AFCON includes hosts Morocco, Uganda, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, DR Congo, Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Africa, Angola, and Mozambique.
