Kingston urges Uganda Cubs to sharpen finishing ahead of Ethiopia clash

TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA qualifiers

Monday Results

South Sudan 3 Sudan 2

Ethiopia 3 Burundi 0

Somalia 1 Tanzania 1

Wednesday

Somalia v Kenya 2pm

Ethiopia v Uganda 5pm

Sudan v Rwanda 8pm

Uganda Cubs coach Laryea Kingston has urged his players to improve their passing and finishing as they prepare to face Ethiopia in their second Group B match at the 2027 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations CECAFA Zonal Qualifiers on Wednesday.

The Cubs face Ethiopia at Kigali Pelé Stadium in Rwanda, seeking another win after starting their campaign with an 8-0 victory over Burundi on Saturday.

Despite the big win, Kingston says his team must cut down on mistakes and make better use of its scoring chances.

“It was a good performance, but there are so many areas that we need to improve. We are losing too many easy balls, which creates chances for our opponents. We also need to convert more of our chances, but the boys managed to score more goals, so it was a very good start,” Kingston said.

The coach said the team’s main target is to secure three points, but the players must approach the game one goal at a time.

“We just want to cross the line well. We come into the game to make sure we take all three points. But to get the three points, we need to score one first. After the first, we look for the next one, and then the next one. I give all the credit to the boys,” he added.

Kingston says the Cubs will continue to build their game around possession and players who fit their style.

“We are a ball-playing team. We look at our strengths and style of play, then try to pick the right players who can fit in,” he said.

Scotland-based Sebastian Fisher Quinn will be among the players attracting attention after scoring a hat-trick on his international debut against Burundi. His performance gave Uganda an impressive start, but the team will need contributions from across the squad to overcome Ethiopia.

Uganda can also look to the players who have helped the team develop a strong attacking approach, with Kingston expected to rely on a combination of disciplined defending, passing and clinical finishing.

The Cubs are familiar with Ethiopia, having beaten them 3-0 in the semi-finals of the 2025 CECAFA U-17 AFCON Zonal Qualifiers in Addis Ababa on November 30. That victory helped Uganda reach the final and secure qualification for the continental tournament.

This time, the sides meet in the group stage, with Uganda aiming to repeat that result and strengthen their chances of reaching the semi-finals.

Nine teams are competing in three groups. The three group winners and the best-performing runner-up are expected to advance to the semi-finals, while the top three teams at the tournament will qualify for the 2027 AFCON U-17 finals.

Elsewhere, Somalia and Tanzania drew 1-1 in a Group C match on Monday. Abdikarin Abdulkadir gave Somalia an early lead after one minute before Tanzania captain Elick Yusuph equalised from the penalty spot in the 24th minute.

The semi-finals are scheduled for Saturday, with the third-place play-off and final set for Monday.

Group standings

Group A

Rwanda 3 points

South Sudan 3 points

Sudan 0 point

Group B

Uganda 3 points

Ethiopia 3 points

Burundi 0 points

Group C

Tanzania 4 points

Somalia 1 point

Kenya 0 points