Uganda’s national under-23 team, The Kobs, has officially withdrawn from the qualifiers for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Under-23 (AFCON U23).
The decision was made after the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) failed to secure sufficient funds to cover the team’s participation in the competition.
Uganda had been scheduled to face Ethiopia in the first round of the AFCON U23 2027 qualifiers.
The first leg was expected to be played in Ethiopia on September 28, 2026, while the return leg was scheduled to take place in Uganda on October 6, 2026.
However, FUFA has confirmed that it decided to withdraw the team from the competition due to financial challenges, explaining that it was unable to secure enough funding to enable the team to participate fully.
As a result, The Kobs will no longer take part in the qualification process for AFCON U23 2027, dealing a blow to Uganda’s hopes of reaching the continental tournament.
FUFA emphasized that the main reason behind the decision was the lack of sufficient funds to cover the team’s requirements, including preparations and travel costs for the qualifying matches.
The decision highlights the financial challenges that some football associations across Africa face in funding their national teams, particularly in competitions that require significant spending on travel, accommodation, training camps and other operational expenses.
With Uganda’s withdrawal, The Kobs will no longer compete in the qualifying campaign, leaving their scheduled first-round clash with Ethiopia off the tournament calendar.
