Uganda’s national Under-17 football team, the Cubs, have made a commanding start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign after thrashing Burundi 8-0 in their opening Group B match in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Cubs, coached by Laryea Kingston, dominated the match played on Saturday at Kigali Pele Stadium, with Arnold Kayemba scoring twice and substitute Sebastian Fisher Quinn netting a hat-trick to underline Uganda’s attacking strength.
Kayemba opened the scoring in the 19th minute before doubling Uganda’s lead just two minutes later to put the Cubs firmly in control.
Arafat Ibanda extended the advantage in the 34th minute before Nicholas Kawooya scored Uganda’s fourth goal in the 38th minute, giving the team a comfortable 4-0 lead at half-time.
Uganda maintained the pressure after the break, with Fisher Quinn coming off the bench to score in the 74th minute.
Junior Afoyrwoth added the sixth goal in the 77th minute before Fisher Quinn struck twice more in the 84th and 89th minutes to complete his hat-trick and seal an emphatic victory for the Cubs.
The result gives Uganda an early boost in Group B, where they are competing against Burundi and Ethiopia for places in the knockout stages of the regional championship.
Uganda head coach Kingston said he was pleased with the team’s performance but urged the players to remain focused ahead of their next match.
“I am very happy with the win and the many goals the boys scored. We need to keep focused and prepare for our next match against Ethiopia,” Kingston said.
The Cubs will face Ethiopia in their next Group B encounter as they seek to secure a place in the semi-finals and move closer to qualification for the continental finals.
The 2026 Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) Under-17 Championship is taking place in Rwanda from October 10 to 19 and serves as the regional qualification pathway for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament features teams competing for three qualification slots to the continental finals, with the finalists and the winner of the third-place play-off earning places at the AFCON tournament.
Uganda entered the competition seeking to reclaim regional honours after finishing runners-up to Tanzania in the previous edition held in Ethiopia.
The Cubs have established themselves as a competitive force in youth football in the region, winning several CECAFA Under-17 titles and using the competition as a springboard for continental success.
Their recent performances have also contributed to Uganda qualifying for the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations and making consecutive appearances at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2025 and 2026.
The emphatic victory over Burundi will boost Uganda’s confidence as Kingston and his technical team prepare the side for the remaining group fixtures, with the ultimate objective of securing qualification for the continental championship.