AFCON U-17: Uganda Cubs ready to take on Morocco in epic opener

AFCON U-17 (Group A):

30^th March 2025: Morocco Vs Uganda

Venue: El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia

Kick off time: 10 PM (Morocco); 1 PM (East African Time)

The Uganda U-17 national team (The Cubs) will face hosts Morocco in the 2025 AFCON U-17 championship.

This match will take place at the 10,000 seater El Bachir Stadium Mohammedia in Eastern Morocco.

Addressing the media in the official pre-match press conference Uganda Cubs’ duo of Elvis Torach and Shakur Magogo expressed optimism prior to this encounter.

It is a great honour for me to represent my country and also to play the first game of the tournament. We are ready to play before the many supporters and it will be an opportunity for us to showcase what we are capable of.  It will be a great experience.

Elvis Torach, Uganda U-17 national team player

“There will be pressure facing the hosts (Morocco) in the opening game” Shakur Magogo admitted. “But this is expected and we know how to contain it” he added.

Uganda’s head coach Brian Ssenyondo hinted on the relevance of this game as the country targets qualification to the coveted FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

“It is a great opportunity for Uganda to be playing the first match. We shall give it our all in the best way. This is not a boxing match, therefore we shall play the best football. We respect Morocco, they play good football. We have a wider vision and we are an ambitious country. We target qualification to the World Cup. Everyone is a threat to us and we are also a threat to them” Ssenyondo spoke before the media.

Uganda Cubs will dwell upon key players as defenders Travor Mubiru and Steven Oyirwoth, sharp forward James Bogere, midfielders Isima Magala and Ethan Oydele, captain Richard Okello, the goalkeeping trio of Adrian Mukwanga, Ashraf Lukyamuzi and Muhamad Masabo, Simon Wanyama, Derrick Ssozi among others.

The match referee is Ali Sadou Brahamou from Niger. He will work alongside Aboubacar Aboubacar Ousmana Fousseini (Niger) and Tabara Mbodji (Senegal) as first and second assistant referees respectively, among other officials.

Uganda Cubs played two international friendly matches in Morocco; losing in both matches to West African opposition Burkina Faso and Cameroon 2-3 and 3-4 respectively.

Uganda is in the same group as hosts Morocco, Zambia and neighbors Tanzania.

10 African countries will qualify to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.

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