Njeru, Uganda: The Uganda U-17 national football team, “Uganda Cubs”, have officially kicked off preparations for the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations with a residential training camp at the FUFA Technical Centre.
The team entered camp on Tuesday, March 10, and held their first training session the following day, beginning with light exercises designed to gradually prepare players both physically and mentally for the demands of international competition.
Coaches say the training intensity will increase in the coming days as additional players report to camp.
The provisional squad features a mix of emerging talents from school football and youth academies across the country.
Among the notable players in camp are Ssesazi Anderson Earnet (Kawempe Muslim SS/URA FC JT), Ismail Habib (Kawempe Muslim SS), Epila Emmanuel (Mentor SS), Kawooya Nicholas (Buddo SS), Ibanda Arafat (Buddo SS/NEC JT) and team captain Owen Mukisa (Vipers JT/Seth Academy).
The players have impressed in various youth competitions locally and will continue competing for places as the coaching staff finalise the squad ahead of the continental tournament.
Uganda secured qualification for the finals through the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers, where the Cubs finished as runners-up to Tanzania after an impressive campaign.
During the qualifiers, Uganda recorded convincing victories against Burundi (4-0), Sudan (9-0) and Djibouti (6-0) in the group stages.
The team later defeated hosts Ethiopia 3-0 in the semi-finals before narrowly losing 2-1 to Tanzania in the final.
Striker Thomas Ogema finished as Uganda’s top scorer in the qualifiers with six goals, while captain Owen Mukisa added four goals and played a key leadership role.
Morocco to host continental finals
The 2026 Africa U-17 Cup of Nations will take place from April 25 to May 15 in Morocco, bringing together 16 of Africa’s top youth teams competing for the continental title.
The tournament will also serve as a qualifier for the expanded FIFA U-17 World Cup, with the top 10 teams earning slots for the global event in Qatar.
Uganda heads into the tournament building on the momentum from last year’s historic participation at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, where the Cubs became the first Ugandan team to feature at a FIFA World Cup.
The team advanced to the Round of 16 before losing on penalties to Burkina Faso following a 1-1 draw. During the tournament, Uganda also defeated Senegal 1-0, stunned France 1-0, drew 1-1 with Chile, and narrowly lost 2-1 to Canada.
Several players from that campaign continue to progress in their careers.
Forward James Bogere, who scored against France and Canada, later signed a professional contract with Danish club Aarhus Gymnastikforening.
His impressive performances also earned him a call-up to the provisional squad of the Uganda national football team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Full Squad Summoned
Ssesazi Anderson Earnet (Kawempe Muslim SS/URA FC JT), Ismail Habib (Kawempe Muslim SS), Epila Emmanuel (Mentor SS), Kawooya Nicholas (Buddo SS), Ibanda Arafat (Buddo SS/NEC JT), Owen Mukisa (Vipers JT/Seth Academy), Mwesigwa Enock (Volf Academy), Inshirah Mahyoub (Edgars Youth Academy/Kibuli SS), Kizito Ukasha (Proline Academy), Ukasha Abudshafi Jemba (KCCA FC JT), Kombi Eze (Amus College School), Mubiru Geofrey (Amus College School), Muhoozi Henry (Amus College School), Hilal Ajiga (Amus College School), Olwa Brian (Edgars Youth Academy/Bukedea Comprehensive School), Isabirye Eric (Rays of Grace/Bukedea Comprehensive School), Ssenyonga Yusuf (Bukedea Comprehensive School), Kivumbi Najib (Excel Academy), Mugisha Hannington (Excel Academy), Asobola Joshua (Excel Academy), Mukwanga Adrian (St. Mary’s Kitende), Owino John Brian (St. Mary’s Kitende) and Ngobi Shakur (Green Light Islamic School).
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
