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Uganda U17 national team captain Owen Mukisa has delivered a strong rallying message ahead of the Cubs’ opening challenge at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, insisting the team is ready to compete with confidence, hunger, and belief.
Mukisa says the squad enters the tournament in high spirits after an impressive preparation camp in Morocco, where Uganda registered back-to-back friendly victories that sharpened both confidence and unity within the group.
The Cubs first beat Mozambique 3-1 before edging Mali 1-0 in dramatic fashion, with substitute Arafat Ibanda scoring a stoppage-time winner to complete a perfect build-up run.
Now based at Lycée d’Excellence (LYDEX), Uganda are finalising preparations ahead of their Group B opener against DR Congo on Thursday.
Reflecting on the team’s growing confidence, Mukisa highlighted the impact the preparatory matches have had on the squad.
Those two preparational matches managed to give us confidence and we have a lot of beliefs and hopes,” Mukisa said.
“The boys are working so hard.”
Uganda are making their third appearance at the U-17 AFCON, having previously featured in 2019 and 2025. On both occasions, the Cubs were eliminated at the group stage — a record Mukisa and his teammates are determined to change this time.
This year’s tournament carries even bigger stakes, as it doubles as a qualification pathway to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
It should be noted that the top 10 teams from the U-17 AFCON will qualify automatically as Africa’s representatives at the global showpiece.
Uganda already have recent World Cup experience, having made their debut at the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where they reached the Round of 16 before losing to Burkina Faso. That campaign remains their only appearance at the tournament, and Mukisa now leads a squad determined to secure a second consecutive qualification.
The skipper also made it clear that Uganda’s ambitions stretch beyond merely participating at the continental showpiece.
Our goal is to reach the World Cup,” Mukisa stated firmly.
If we achieve our goal, then we shall look forward to the trophy.”
Beyond DR Congo, Uganda will also face Cameroon and Ivory Coast in what promises to be a highly competitive Group B campaign.
