The Uganda U-17 Men’s National Team, the Cubs, will return to action on Saturday evening when they face Cameroon in their second Group B match at the ongoing 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Under-17 in Morocco.
The highly anticipated encounter will kick off at 7pm with the Uganda Cubs aiming to build on their impressive start to the tournament following a commanding 3-0 victory over DR Congo in the opening fixture.
Speaking ahead of the match, Uganda Cubs head coach Laryea Kingston expressed confidence in his team’s preparation and readiness for the challenge against the Central African side.
After collecting maximum points on Match Day One, Uganda heads into Saturday’s fixture full of belief as they seek to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the quarterfinals and the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Cameroon, meanwhile, will be desperate for a positive response after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in their opening group match.
Kingston acknowledged the quality and pedigree of the Cameroonians but remained optimistic about Uganda’s chances.
‘We know Cameroon are a strong football nation with great history at this level, so we expect a difficult match,’ Kingston said.
‘However, the victory in our first game gave the players confidence and belief. We are now fully focused on Cameroon and preparing well to execute our game plan.’
The Uganda Cubs coach reiterated his commitment to an attacking and possession-based style of play, noting that the current squad has adapted well to his football philosophy.
‘As a coach, I believe in controlling matches through possession because when you manage the ball well, you improve your chances of controlling the game and achieving positive results,’ he explained.
Kingston further praised the quality and technical ability of the Ugandan players, revealing that their natural style perfectly suits the approach he wants the team to adopt.
‘From the moment I arrived, I recognised the quality and potential of Ugandan players. The players now understand the importance of discipline, hard work and following the game plan.’
Beyond tactical preparations, the technical team has also prioritised the mental growth and character development of the players during the tournament.
Kingston revealed that the team introduced sessions referred to as ‘character classes’ aimed at helping the young players understand responsibility, resilience and how to handle difficult moments both on and off the pitch.
‘You can have all the talent in the world, but if you are not mentally ready, it becomes difficult to perform at your best,’ he noted.
‘These sessions help the players grow mentally, stay united as a team and prepare for different challenges in football and life.’
A victory against Cameroon would move Uganda closer to securing qualification for both the Africa Cup of Nations Under-17 quarterfinals and the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
The top two teams from each group automatically qualify for the knockout stages and the global tournament while additional World Cup places will be determined through playoffs involving third-placed teams.
Uganda will conclude their Group B campaign against Ivory Coast next Tuesday.
Kingston believes qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup would represent an important achievement for the players and Ugandan football development.
‘For the players, it would provide a valuable opportunity to compete on the world stage and gain important experience,’ he said.
‘For Ugandan football, it would show that youth development structures are progressing in the right direction. But for now, our focus remains on the next match against Cameroon.’
