U-17 AFCON: Uganda open with decisive victory over DR Congo

Uganda got off to a hot start at the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (U-17 AFCON) on Wednesday with a dominant 3-0 victory over DR Congo in Morocco.

2-0. Nicholas Kawooya#U17AFCON | #UGACOD pic.twitter.com/902h7XDlnW

— FUFA Tv (@fufatv1) May 13, 2026

The emphatic triumph sees the victors move joint top of Group B on three points alongside Ivory Coast, who defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the group’s earlier fixture. Uganda, however, made a loud statement of their own with a composed and disciplined performance on both ends of the pitch.

After a balanced first half hour with neither side able to break through, Uganda finally found the breakthrough in the 37th minute. Forward Owen Mukisa rose highest inside the box to power home a superb header from a delightful delivery by Trevor Mubiru, sending the Ugandan bench into celebration.

Uganda continued to grow in confidence after taking the lead and doubled their advantage deep into first-half added time. This time, Nicholas Kawooya nodded home from a well-delivered corner by captain Owen Mukisa to hand the Cubs a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break.

DR Congo returned from halftime with renewed urgency and pressed aggressively in search of a quick response. However, the Cubs defence stood tall throughout the second period, with goalkeeper Ashraf Lukyamuzi producing a composed display whenever called upon.

The Congolese thought they had pulled one back in the 71st minute, but their celebrations were cut short after the goal was ruled out for offside. The leaders were later reduced to ten men in the 80th minute when Trevor Mubiru received a second yellow card for deliberate handball. Despite the setback, the Cubs responded in perfect fashion just a minute later with Abdulshakur Babi’s strike.

Abdulshakur Babi scores the Cubs’ third!#U17AFCON | #UGACOD pic.twitter.com/JS6yeQphEW

— FUFA Tv (@fufatv1) May 13, 2026

Uganda will now turn their attention to their second Group B encounter against Cameroon, while DR Congo will face Ivory Coast in the other group fixture as the race for qualification intensifies in Morocco.