Former Ghana midfielder Laryea Kingston says the Uganda Football Federation’s investment in his technical team has been a key factor behind the Cubs’ progress as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup and the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
Kingston has led Uganda to two significant achievements in 2026. The Cubs secured qualification for the World Cup before winning the CECAFA U-17 Championship and earning a place at next year’s continental tournament.
Uganda reached the World Cup in May after beating Ghana’s Black Starlets 8-7 on penalties. The play-off at the U-17 AFCON in Morocco had finished 2-2 after normal time.
Their latest success came on Monday, October 19, 2026, when Uganda defeated Somalia 6-5 in a penalty shootout after a goalless draw in the CECAFA final in Kigali, Rwanda.
Kingston believes those results have been built on more than the players’ performances, with the environment created by FUFA also playing an important role.
“We all know that every success, you need a friendly environment, and Uganda have provided a very good friendly environment for me,” he said.
The former Black Stars midfielder said his appointment was designed to support the development of Ugandan football beyond the U-17 team. FUFA also wanted him to help improve local coaches and contribute to the broader growth of the sport.
He highlighted the quality of the staff appointed to work alongside him, describing their contribution as central to the project.
“The first thing they did was they put very good people around me. With the U-17s, they gave me an evergreen backroom staff,” Kingston said.
“My first assistant, my second assistant, all of them are legends of Ugandan football, and they have entered into coaching and are willing to learn and make sure we improve each other’s qualities.”
Kingston said the partnership allowed him to bring his own experience while learning from former Ugandan players with a detailed understanding of the country’s football culture. It also gives local coaches the chance to strengthen their skills while working with the national youth teams.
He accepted that the arrangement had not removed every difficulty, but said the staff had remained united.
“Without saying everything is perfect, we all know there are challenges sometimes, but we’ve so far managed it very well,” he added.
“Going forward, we’re looking forward to maintaining the same consistency to make sure everyone is on the same page.”
Kingston also praised FUFA president Moses Magogo for helping provide the necessary personnel across both the U-17 and U-20 teams.
“I think the president did a very good job by giving me the right people to work with, both the U-17s and the U-20s,” he said.
Uganda’s next challenge is the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, which will take place from November 19 to December 13, 2026. The Cubs will make a second successive appearance after qualifying for the 2025 edition.
They are in Group B with Korea Republic, Ecuador and New Caledonia. The 2027 U-17 AFCON will provide another major test and a route towards a further FIFA U-17 World Cup, increasing the importance of the team’s development after Qatar.
Having helped Uganda overcome Ghana to reach the global tournament, Kingston will now seek to turn their regional success into progress on the international stage.
