In a night of high drama and even higher discipline, Uganda’s U-17 national team kicked off their 2026 Africa Cup of Nations campaign in breathtaking fashion—downing DR Congo 3-0 in Morocco despite playing the final minutes with ten men.
The victory at the hands of the Cubs wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. Uganda now sits joint top of Group B with three points, matching Ivory Coast, who earlier blanked Cameroon 2-0. But the Ugandans’ path to glory was anything but routine.
For the first half-hour, the contest was a tense chess match. Neither side blinked. Then, in the 37th minute, the deadlock was shattered. Forward Owen Mukisa met Trevor Mubiru’s inch-perfect cross with a towering header that left the Congolese keeper clutching at air. The Ugandan bench erupted.
And they weren’t done. Deep into first-half stoppage time, captain Owen Mukisa turned provider, whipping in a corner that Nicholas Kawooya powered home with his own header. Just like that, Uganda walked into the break with a commanding 2-0 lead.
DR Congo emerged from the tunnel with fire in their eyes, pressing high and hunting for a lifeline. But goalkeeper Ashraf Lukyamuzi stood like a wall, repelling everything thrown at him. In the 71st minute, the Congolese thought they’d broken through—only for the offside flag to cut their celebrations brutally short.
Then came the twist. In the 80th minute, Trevor Mubiru was shown a second yellow card for a deliberate handball, reducing Uganda to ten men. Most teams would have crumbled. Instead, the Cubs roared back. Just one minute later, Abdulshakur Babi unleashed a clinical strike to make it 3–0, silencing any lingering Congolese hopes.
With that stunning finish, Uganda now turns its focus to Cameroon in their next group battle, while DR Congo faces a must-perform clash against Ivory Coast. If this opener is any clue, the Cubs aren’t just participating in Morocco—they’re hunting.
