Uganda’s U-17 national football team, the Cubs, will face hosts Morocco, neighbours Tanzania, and Zambia in Group A of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 following the final tournament draw conducted on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt.
The tournament, set to run from March 30 to April 19, 2025, will see the top two teams from each group advance to the quarter-finals while securing automatic qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2025 in Qatar.
The remaining two World Cup slots will be determined through play-off matches involving the four third-placed teams.
Uganda secured its place at the continental championship after winning last year.
The Cubs secured their place at the continental championship after defeating Somalia in the semi-finals of the CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers held in Kampala last December.
Uganda then made a remarkable comeback to beat Tanzania 2-1 in the final at Nakivubo Stadium.
The victory cemented Uganda’s place as a rising force in youth football, with coach Brian Ssenyondo now tasked with leading the team to a strong showing in Morocco.
This will be Uganda’s second official appearance at the U-17 AFCON, having previously competed in the 2019 edition in Tanzania.
The Cubs also qualified for the 2021 tournament, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The tournament has expanded from 12 to 16 teams, with Africa set to send a record 10 representatives to the 48-team FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will take place from November 5 to 27, 2025.
Defending champions Senegal have been placed in Group C, while former winners Mali will compete in Group D.
Full group-stage draw for U17 AFCON 2025:
- Group A: Morocco (hosts), Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia
- Group B: Burkina Faso, UNIFFAC 1, South Africa, Egypt
- Group C: Senegal, The Gambia, Somalia, Tunisia
- Group D: Mali, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, UNIFFAC 2
With Uganda also set to compete in the 2025 AFCON at senior level, the Cubs’ participation in the U-17 tournament marks a historic moment for the country’s football.
The focus now turns to preparation, as the young team looks to make a strong impact on the continental stage.
