The Uganda U-17 national team made an emphatic start to their 2026 TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign after defeating DR Congo 3-0 in their Group B opener at Stade Moulay Hassan in Morocco on Wednesday.
Uganda produced a composed and disciplined display to collect all three points and move level with Ivory Coast at the top of Group B after the Ivorians defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the other group fixture.
The Cubs began cautiously, remaining organised defensively and frustrating DR Congo during the opening stages before gradually growing into the contest.
Their breakthrough came in the 37th minute when forward Owen Mukisa rose highest to head home Trevor Mubiru’s delivery and give Uganda a deserved lead.
Uganda continued pressing for more goals and doubled their advantage deep into first-half stoppage time. Mukisa turned provider from a corner kick, with Nicholas Kawooya heading in to send the Cubs into the break leading 2-0.
DR Congo responded strongly after halftime and attempted to force their way back into the match, but Uganda remained solid at the back while goalkeeper Lukyamuzi delivered a calm performance between the posts.
The Central Africans briefly thought they had pulled one back midway through the second half, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
Uganda were reduced to 10 men in the 80th minute after Mubiru received a second yellow card for deliberate handball. However, the setback barely disrupted their momentum.
Just a minute later, AbdulShakur Babi sealed the victory with Uganda’s third goal to cap off an impressive attacking performance from the Cubs.
The Ugandans comfortably managed the closing stages to secure a memorable opening win in Morocco.
Mukisa, who scored once and provided an assist, was named Man of the Match after an influential display.
Uganda will now turn attention to their second Group B match against Cameroon, while DR Congo face Ivory Coast in the other fixture.
