Uganda Cubs started strong in AFCON U-17 Group B with a 3-0 win over DR Congo, goals from Mukisa, Kawooya and Babi.
Uganda Cubs take control of Group B with emphatic DR Congo win Goals from Mukisa, Nicholas Kawooya, and substitute Abdulshakur Babi helped Uganda ease past DR Congo in their opening match played on Wednesday at Stade Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.. Uganda Cubs captain Owen Mukisa celebrates with his teammates after scoring the opener against DR Congo.. (Courtesy Photo) _____________2026 U-17 Africa Cup of NationsUganda 3 DR Congo 0________Uganda Cubs captain Owen Mukisa has urged
his teammates to remain focused ahead of Saturday’s AFCON U-17 Group B clash against Cameroon following their impressive 3-0 victory over DR Congo in Morocco.Goals from Mukisa, Nicholas Kawooya, and substitute Abdulshakur Babi helped Uganda ease past DR Congo in their opening match played on Wednesday at Stade Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.The result gave coach Laryea Kingston’s side a dream start to the tournament and boosted Uganda’s hopes of qualifying for the FIFA U-17
World Cup.“We worked hard as a team, stayed disciplined and took our chances well.. This victory gives us confidence for the remaining matches,” Mukisa said.Uganda looked sharp from kick-off and controlled possession early, with midfielder Henry Muhoozi dictating play in the middle of the park.. (Courtesy Photo)Uganda looked sharp from kick-off and controlled possession early, with midfielder Henry Muhoozi dictating play in the middle of the park.The Cubs nearly scored in the opening minutes after
winning a corner, but DR Congo survived before missing a chance on the counterattack.The game remained balanced in the opening stages, but Uganda stayed organised defensively.. Goalkeeper Ashraf Lukyamuzi produced two important saves in the first half to deny DR Congo.Mukisa finally broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when he headed home from a brilliant trivela cross by Trevor Mubiru.. The goal was reviewed by VAR for a possible handball, but it stood.“We followed
the game plan carefully from the first minute until the end,” Mukisa added.Uganda doubled the lead deep into first-half stoppage time when Kawooya dashed to the near post to head in Mukisa’s well-delivered corner kick.After the break, DR Congo thought they had pulled one back, but the goal was ruled out for offside.Uganda later suffered a setback after Mubiru received a second yellow card and was sent off for holding the ball.Despite playing with 10
men, the Cubs remained dangerous and sealed the victory in the 81st minute through Abdulshakur Babi, whose strike was also cleared by VAR after an offside check.“Even after the red card, we stayed calm, defended together and kept fighting because we knew the match was still very important for us,” Mukisa noted.Uganda will now turn its attention to Saturday’s encounter against Cameroon at 7:00 pm, while DR Congo face Ivory Coast in another Group B
game.The match is expected to be decisive because Cameroon already lost 2-0 to the Ivory Coast in their opening game.. Another defeat would put the Central Africans under pressure, while victory for Uganda would secure six points and move the Cubs closer to the quarterfinals and FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification.The top two teams from each group automatically qualify for both the AFCON quarterfinals and the FIFA U-17 World Cup.. The remaining World Cup slots
will be decided through playoffs involving third-placed teams.“We respect Cameroon because they are strong physically and tactically, but we believe in ourselves and want to qualify early with another win,” Mukisa said.Uganda will complete their group stage campaign against the Ivory Coast next Tuesday, while DR Congo face Cameroon in the other Group B fixture.Africa will have 10 representatives at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Uganda Cubs, AFCON U-17, DR Congo, Group B, Owen Mukisa, Laryea Kingston, FIFA U-17 World Cup qualification