Uganda withdraws from AFCON, Ethiopia handed a bye
FUFA has confirmed that the Uganda U23 national team, the Kobs, have been withdrawn from the 2027 AFCON U23 Qualifiers — a decision that scuppers their scheduled clash with Ethiopia later this month.
The Kobs were billed to face the Ethiopians over two legs between 20th September and 6th October 2026 in the tournament’s first qualification round, but the federation confirmed on Tuesday that the tie will no longer go ahead.
“The Uganda U-23 National Team (The Kobs) has been withdrawn from the AFCON U-23 Qualifiers. Uganda was due to play Ethiopia over two legs between 20th September and 6th October 2026,” FUFA said in a statement.
Cranes Take Priority
At the heart of the withdrawal is money — or the lack of it. FUFA revealed the Kobs could not be adequately backed financially, with government resources instead being channelled towards preparing the senior Uganda Cranes for AFCON 2027, where the Cranes will co-host alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
“Considering that the Government has prioritised the Uganda Cranes’ preparations for AFCON 2027 for FY 2026/7, it is only imperative that this decision is painfully made now than later. This affects the previous generation of the U20 (Boys). FUFA will provide further details on the participation of other national teams listed below, as more engagements with the Government are ongoing,” the federation added.
It’s a bitter blow for Uganda’s young stars, who will now miss out on a shot at continental qualification just as the country prepares to bask in the spotlight as AFCON co-hosts next year.
A Familiar Story
This isn’t the first time budget constraints have cost Uganda’s youth teams a shot at continental glory — FUFA made an identical call back in 2022, pulling the U23s out of the 2023 AFCON U23 tournament for the very same reason.
With host-nation duties clearly taking centre stage, questions will now linger over how Uganda balances big-tournament ambitions on home soil with nurturing the next generation of Cranes talent waiting in the wings.
