David GOMBE

Uganda’s U-23 nationwide group, the Kobs, will face Ethiopia within the first spherical of qualification for the 2027 CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, with a frightening tie in opposition to Morocco awaiting within the subsequent spherical.

The Confederation of African Soccer (CAF) confirmed the qualifiers draw, with the Kobs beginning their marketing campaign away from house.

Uganda will journey to Ethiopia for the primary leg on twenty eighth September, earlier than internet hosting the return leg in Kampala on sixth October 2026.

The winner on combination will advance to the second and last qualifying spherical, the place Morocco lies in wait. The second-round ties are scheduled between ninth and seventeenth November.

For the Kobs, this marketing campaign represents one other likelihood to finish an extended wait. Because the event was launched in 2011, Uganda has by no means certified for the finals.

The group has come shut on a number of events however fallen quick. In the latest marketing campaign for the 2023 version held in Morocco, Uganda reached the second spherical however was eradicated by Guinea.

Now underneath a brand new technical group, the Kobs should first negotiate a tough East African derby in opposition to Ethiopia – a facet they know nicely from CECAFA competitions – earlier than dreaming of Morocco.

There may be further incentive this time. Hosts Egypt have already certified routinely for the 2027 finals, and the event will double as Africa’s qualifier for the Males’s Soccer occasion on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Video games.

Meaning reaching the finals in Egypt will even maintain Uganda’s Olympic dream alive.

A constructive end in Ethiopia on September twenty eighth would put the Kobs in a powerful place heading into the return leg in Uganda eight days later.

If Uganda overcomes Ethiopia, a two-legged showdown with North African giants Morocco will determine who books a ticket to Egypt 2027.