Kingston demands ruthless finishing as Uganda Cubs target top spot
Kingston, a Ghanaian tactician who recently signed a two-year contract with FUFA to oversee all boys’ junior national teams (U15, U17 and U20), believes the squad must demonstrate hunger and consistency if they are to earn a return to the 2026 AFCON U17.
Uganda's U17 side during a session on Monday at Dire Dawa Stadium in Ethiopia as the team prepares to face Sudan. (Courtesy Photo)
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Uganda U17 head coach Layrea Kingston says his team is fully focused on defending their crown at the TotalEnergies Men’s U17 CECAFA Regional Qualifiers in Ethiopia. The Cubs face Sudan on Tuesday (November 18) in their second Group B fixture.
Kingston, a Ghanaian tactician who recently signed a two-year contract with FUFA to oversee all boys’ junior national teams (U15, U17 and U20), believes the squad must demonstrate hunger and consistency if they are to earn a return to the 2026 AFCON U17.
Uganda U17 head coach Layrea Kingston believes the squad must demonstrate hunger for goals against Sudan. (Courtesy Photo)
“We are the defending champions, so there is nothing more important than defending the cup,” he said.
“The most important thing is to qualify for the AFCON, and we shall take every match as it comes. We started well against Burundi, and now Sudan will want to correct their mistakes, but as Uganda, we want the three points and more goals to top the group.”
He acknowledged that the task is challenging but maintained that the Cubs will approach it progressively.
Uganda's U17 side during a session on Monday at Dire Dawa Stadium in Ethiopia as the team prepares to face Sudan. (Courtesy Photo)
“It is not easy, but we shall take it game by game. Where the bar is, that is where we want to go,” he added.
Uganda enters the Sudan encounter in high spirits after a convincing 4-0 win over Burundi in their opening match.
Captain Owen Mukisa (Seth Soccer Academy) and Thomas Ogema (KCCA) each scored twice in the first half, giving Uganda firm control. Burundi returned more organised after the interval, limiting Uganda’s chances of extending the lead, but the early dominance secured the three points.
Sudan, meanwhile, suffered a 6-0 defeat to Tanzania in their first game, placing them under pressure. Uganda, aware of the tight competition in Group B, aims not only to win but also to score enough goals to stay ahead on goal difference, depending on the outcome of the Tanzania versus Djibouti fixture.
Uganda's U17 side during a session on Monday at Dire Dawa Stadium in Ethiopia as the team prepares to face Sudan. (Courtesy Photo)
Tanzania lead the group with three points and a six-goal advantage. Uganda follow with three points and a goal difference of four. Burundi sit third without a point, Sudan are bottom also without a point and a negative six-goal difference, while Djibouti are yet to play their first match.
Kingston is shaping a promising squad built around key players, including Mukisa, Ogema, Travor Mubiru (Vipers Junior Team), Henry Muhoozi (Amus College School), Arnold Kayemba (El Cambio) and Ismail Fahad (KCCA FC).
His immediate task is to guide Uganda back to the semi-finals, which guarantees qualification for the 2026 TotalEnergies AFCON U17.
Uganda won last year’s title after defeating Tanzania 2-1 in the final on home soil. With a competitive Group B featuring Tanzania, Djibouti, Sudan and Burundi, Kingston says every point and every goal will be critical as Uganda seek to defend their title.