Uganda’s winning U17 team, the Cubs celebrate after winning the CECAFA tournament
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Uganda U17 team ‘Cubs’ has once again secured their spot in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), slated to be held in Morocco later this year.
The country qualified for the tournament by winning the CECAFA U17 Qualifiers, defeating Tanzania 2-1 in the final held at Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo in Kampala.
The AFCON tournament is scheduled to run from March 30 to April 19, 2025.
This marks Uganda’s third appearance at the U17 AFCON, having previously qualified for 2019 in Tanzania and then the 2021 edition, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, the Final Draw for the TotalEnergies CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 took place on Thursday, February 13, in Cairo.
The long awaited draw placed Uganda in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Tanzania and Zambia.
Brian Ssenyondo, the Cubs Head Coach despite being placed what many called the group of death, they will emerge from the Groups and probably win the tournament.
He said they are targeti
ng the World Cup. Our focus is on much bigger things although the forthcoming tournament is also equally important.
The draw divided the 16 qualified teams into four groups of four, with Morocco automatically assigned position A1 in Group A as the host nation.
Uganda receives 2 similar opponents – Zambia and Morrocco like the ones battled in the same tournament in 2021 but was canceled due to COVID 19 pandemic.
This year’s U17 World Cup will be historic, as FIFA has expanded the tournament to 48 teams, with a record 10 African Nations set to participate in the global showcase from November 5-27, 2025, in Qatar.
The full U17 AFCON 2025 Group Stage Draw
Group A: Morocco (hosts), Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia
Group B: Burkina Faso, UNIFFAC1, South Africa, Egypt
Group C: Senegal, The Gambia, Somalia, Tunisia
Group D: Mali, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, UNIFFAC2
