Uganda U-17 head coach Laryea Kingston has lifted the lid on how the Cubs navigated one of the region’s toughest youth tournaments to clinch a coveted spot at the TotalEnergies U-17 AFCON 2026.
In Addis Ababa, moments after a commanding 3–0 victory over hosts Ethiopia, Kingston reflected on a campaign he believes tested every aspect of his young squad, from temperament and adaptability to tactical discipline.
“The tournament is very competitive. I respect everything within this competition,” he said, noting how the CECAFA qualifiers continue to grow in intensity and quality with each edition.
Kingston admitted that while Uganda ultimately looked convincing, the margins were far tighter than the scorelines suggested. He highlighted opponents who pushed his team to evolve match by match:
“Some teams are stronger than others, and I would mention two that have impressed me the most, which are Ethiopia and Tanzania. For me, it is fair to say that all three countries deserve to represent CECAFA because they are doing the right things in their development.”
One of the biggest challenges for Uganda, Kingston revealed, was abandoning their preferred style of play. The Cubs usually build their identity around ball retention and control, but conditions in Addis Ababa forced a different, and less comfortable approach.
“I believe in keeping the ball. I do not believe in long balls unless they serve a clear purpose. I always want my team to play. However, the pitch did not help us. The ball was bouncing throughout the game and that made it difficult to execute what we planned,” he noted.
He contrasted those struggles with earlier matches played in Dira Dawa, where the surfaces allowed them to express themselves and better showcase their developmental principles.
With an eye on the bigger picture, Kingston stressed that the environment in which young players compete can make or break their football education.
“If we want to educate young players and prepare them to compete in Europe or the World Cup, we must give them good facilities,” he concluded.
Uganda U17 cruise to AFCON with dominant display over Ethiopia
Uganda’s qualification, therefore, was not just about winning matches, it was about enduring varied conditions, staying committed to a long-term philosophy, and mastering the art of adaptation.
