Uganda Cubs made a poor start in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 falling 5-0 to hosts in a Group A match that ended on Sunday night.

Within the early 10 minutes the home side scored two goals through Ilies Belmoktar and Driss at the El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia.

The AS Monaco striker punished the flat footed Ugandan defence after only 3 minutes, and Belmokhtar made it 2-0 off a corner five minutes later.

The CECAFA U-17 reigning champions tried to settle down, but failed to match Morocco’s midfield department. Ziyad Baha also got his name on the score sheet after 24 minutes after converting a penalty.

Uganda later conceded another after 32 minutes with Belmokhtar placing the ball between the legs of past goalkeeper Ashraf Lukyamuzi to make it 4-0.

After the interval Uganda made some changes, but Ziyad Baha netted his second of the night after 72 minutes. The Cubs tried to push forward, but failed to find the goals.

Action shifts to CECAFA’s second representatives Tanzania who face Zambia in another Group A match on Monday at the El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia. On Tuesday Somalia will kick start their Group C campaign with a match against Tunisia.

The top 10 teams at the U-17 AFCON will ends on April 19^th will qualify for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar as the CAF representatives.

Head coach Brian Ssenyondo has named Uganda’s final squad ahead of the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

The competition that will attract 16 teams will take place March 30th to April 19th, 2025 in Morocco.

Uganda Cubs, winners of the CECAFA Zonal qualifiers are placed in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Tanzania and Zambia.

“We have been preparing well and we travel to continue with the preparations in Morocco before the tournament kicks-off,” said Ssenyondo before the team traveled on Thursday. The team is also expected to have some build-up matches.

The coach made it clear that his major target will be to make it to the later stages so that the team can qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The top 10 teams will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 to take place in Qatar.

Uganda Cubs will open their campaign against hosts Morocco on March 30^th.

Uganda, Tanzania and Somalia are the three teams that will represent the CECAFA Zone at the AFCON U-17 qualifiers.

Uganda’s squad

Adrian Mukwanga, Ashraf Kyakuwa, Trevor Mubiru, Marvin Kabiito (Vipers SC Junior Team), Jovan Nsereko Mukisa (NEC FC Junior Team), Hamza Sengooba, James Bogere, Isima Mulala Magala (Masaka Sunshine FC), Ethan Adeleke Afuga Andreas Oyedele (Bradfield College), Joseph Langol (Paorhinar Soccer Academy), Elvis Torach (Masaka Sunshine FC), Derrick Ssozi (Fort Portal Tax Operators FC), Thomas Ogema, Ashraf Lukyamuzi, Steven Oyirwoth (KCCA FC Soccer Academy),  Richard Okello ( Bidco FC Junior Team), Simon Wanyama (Bukedea Comprehensive), Shakur Baggio Lucky Magogo (Namilyango College School), Brain Jjara (KCCA FC), John Brian Owino (Express FC Junior Team), Muhamad Masabo (Lugazi FC Junior Team), Abdul Lukenje Ntege ( Maroons FC Junior Team)

Two teams from the CECAFA Zone Uganda and Tanzania have been placed in Group A ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

During the draw conducted on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt, the CECAFA Zonal champions Uganda have been placed with Tanzania, hosts Morocco and Zambia. In the final of the Zonal qualifiers Uganda stopped Tanzania 2-1.

The expanded tournament which will feature 16 teams is selected for March 30^th to April 19^th, 2025. The best 10 teams will qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup to take place in Qatar in November.

During the draw conducted by former Mali international ⁠Adama Coulibaly and ex-Senegal star Souleymane Camara will act as draw assistants, another team from the CECAFA Zone Somalia was placed in Group C alongside defending champions Senegal, Gambia and Tunisia.

The 2011 champions Burkina Faso are placed in Group B alongside the champion from UNIFFAC, South Africa and Egypt, while Group D has Mali, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire and the second team in the UNIFFAC qualifiers.

Group A: Morocco, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia

Group B: Burkina Faso, UNIFAC 1, South Africa, Egypt

Group C: Senegal, Gambia, Somalia, Tunisia

Group D: Mali, Angola, Cote D’Ivoire, UNIFFAC 2

Somalia has been included as one of the teams that will feature in the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

The Somalian team which finished third in the Zonal CECAFA qualifiers after stopping South Sudan 1-0 in the play-off late last year has been included by CAF together with Gambia from the WAFU-UFOA Zone A.

The CECAFA Zone will be represented by Uganda, Tanzania and Somalia during the competition which runs March 30^th to April 19^th, 2025 in Morocco. The final draw for the competition will take place on February 13^th in Cairo, Egypt.

The expanded tournament will see 16 teams compete, with a record 10 African nations to qualify for the 48-team FIFA U-17 World Cup that will be staged in Qatar from November 5-27^th, 2025.

Teams to be drawn

Morocco (host), Angola, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt,     Gambia, Mali, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania,    Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and one team each UNIFFAC and UNIFFAC.