The U17 Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faced a challenging start to the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. On Wednesday, May 13, the young Congolese footballers were defeated 0-3 by the Ugandan Cubs during the first day of Group B, held in Rabat.

The match was marked by a clear dominance from the Ugandans, who opened the scoring in the first half with a goal from Ibrahim Kusekwa. According to witnesses present at the stadium, the Leopards struggled to find their rhythm against a well-organized and determined Ugandan team.

In the second half, the Congolese team attempted to respond, but their efforts were in vain. The Ugandans doubled their lead with a second goal, followed by a third that sealed the fate of the match. This defeat is a significant setback for the Leopards, who hoped to start the tournament on a positive note.

The performances of the young Congolese players have sparked criticism on social media. One user expressed frustration by stating, “You don’t concede three goals to go fetch your belongings in your own net!” A remark that highlights the high expectations placed on this promising team.

This match takes place in a context where the DRC has often been considered a major player in African football competitions. In a previous report, LE JOURNAL.AFRICA discussed the team's ambitions ahead of the tournament, emphasizing their potential to compete with the continent's best teams.

The upcoming matches will be crucial for the Leopards if they wish to advance in the tournament. They will need to adjust their strategy and improve their performance to face the challenges ahead, particularly against other teams in Group B.