It has been seven days since the Uganda U17 National Football Team, The Cubs, arrived at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru for their crucial training camp ahead of the 2025 TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco from 30th March to 19th April.
The team, comprising 37 players, is vying for a spot in the final squad that will represent Uganda on the continental stage.
FUFA has provided the team all the necessary support towards the preparations for the team to realise their dream.
The atmosphere in camp is intense, yet filled with purpose. The young stars, fresh from their triumph in the CECAFA U17 Zonal Qualifiers in 2024, are pushing themselves to the limit.
Every training session is a step closer to their dream of competing at AFCON and securing a ticket to the FIFA U17 World Cup.
The coaching staff, led by head coach Brian Ssenyondo, emphasised the importance of building physical endurance before shifting focus to tactical execution.
On the seventh day in camp, the team put their work to the test in a friendly match against Jinja SSS. The Cubs approached the game with intensity, with sharp movements and a hunger to impress. Kabiito Marvin and Walusimbi Abubakali scored, sealing a 2-0 victory for the Cubs last Saturday at Jinja SSS play ground.
Coach Ssenyondo analysed every pass, tackle and decision, assessing the team’s performance.
‘It is always good to win, but what matters most is how the team plays. The boys performed well, and we are pleased with their progress so far.’ said Ssenyondo.
With the foundation laid, the team is now focusing on fine-tuning the details.
Coach Ssenyondo has lined up two more friendly matches to assess the squad’s reaction to different situations. The upcoming friendly matches will be another opportunity to make necessary adjustments and prepare the boys for what lies ahead.
Uganda is determined to be more than just participants at AFCON; they want to be competitors, contenders and ultimately, World Cup qualifiers.
For the players, the dream is simple: perform well in Morocco and book a ticket to the FIFA U17 World Cup.
Wanyama Simon, a forward who was part of the squad in Uganda’s CECAFA triumph, embodies this determination.
‘Our success in the qualifiers was built on hard work, dedication and teamwork. Now, we need to push even harder because our main goal is to qualify for the World Cup’ noted Wanyama whose eyes were full of determination.
The FUFA Communications Director Ahmed Hussein is happy with the progress of youth football and how much the federation treasures such projects.
‘We know the value of youth football in the development of the game in Uganda. FUFA has taken major steps to give the game at this level enough support since 2015 with the start of the FUFA Juniors League. It gives FUFA a chance to enter the underage teams into international youth competitions’ noted Hussein
With just a month left until the Cubs step onto the grand stage in Morocco, every moment counts. The coaches are working tirelessly to ensure the team is physically fit, tactically disciplined and mentally strong. The hunger and ambition are evident across the entire squad.
Every training session is filled with urgency-players challenging each other, demanding more from themselves and their teammates. The competition for places is fierce, but there is a shared vision-to make Uganda proud.
Recovery Training Photos
