Sports 6 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Cubs Hit Form with 3-1 Win Over Mozambique in Morocco
Uganda's U-17 team secured a morale-boosting 3-1 victory against Mozambique in a pre-AFCON friendly in Casablanca. Goals from Brian Oluwa and a brace by Arafat Ibanda set them up well ahead of their Group B opener against DR Congo. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/soccer/cubs-start-clicking-in-morocco-ahead-of-afcon--5448968
Uganda Cubs are gaining momentum for the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Mozambique 3-1 in a preparatory match on Monday at Annexe terrain Mohammed V in Casablanca, Morocco.
Brian Oluwa scored the opener in first-half stoppage time, with Arafat Ibanda adding two more goals in the 55th and 70th minutes to clinch the win.
Head coach Laryea Kingston noted the team adapted after a slow start due to weather acclimatization. “We struggled initially but dominated the second half after a strong team talk,” he said, expressing satisfaction and readiness for the tournament starting May 13.
The Cubs, in their third AFCON appearance following 2019 and last year—when they reached the World Cup Round of 16—face DR Congo on May 13, Cameroon on May 16, and Ivory Coast on May 19 in Group B.
Top two teams per group advance to knockouts and qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup. Only four players from last year’s squad return, including Vipers’ Adrian Mukwanga and Travor Mubiru.
They’ll play Mali in their final friendly on May 9 before trimming to 23 players.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)