Uganda Cubs coach Laryea Kingston wants his players to maintain their progress and deliver over 90 minutes when they face Ethiopia in Saturday’s semi-final of the CECAFA U-17 Zonal Qualifiers in Kigali, Rwanda.
With a place in the final and qualification for the 2027 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at stake, Kingston is confident his side is ready for the challenge but insists they must respect their opponents and stick to their game plan.
“[With] a ticket to the AFCON [at stake], both teams are coming up to make sure they get a win in that game,” Kingston said ahead of Saturday’s clash at Kigali Pelé Stadium.
“But the boys are looking sharp. We have a very good game plan, and we believe it can work. If it doesn’t, we try to find other solutions. Looking at the squad and the preparation we’ve done, we have confidence.”
Uganda finished top of Group B with four points, ahead of Ethiopia on goal difference. The Cubs opened their campaign with an 8-0 demolition of Burundi before drawing 1-1 with Ethiopia on October 14.
Ethiopia also collected four points, having beaten Burundi 3-0 before sharing the spoils with Uganda. Zemichael Minyahel, Akrem Abduselam and Abdisa Gutema scored against Burundi, while Minyahel was on target against the Cubs.
Arnold Kayemba scored Uganda’s equaliser in the group-stage meeting, setting up another contest between the sides, this time with a place in the final at stake.
Kingston is keen to avoid a repeat of Uganda’s slow start against Ethiopia in last year’s semi-final, when the Cubs eventually won 3-0.
“Last year was very competitive. We did not start the game well. The first half wasn’t too good. In the second half, we started controlling the game the way we wanted,” he said.
“But we want to control the game throughout the 90 minutes. We don’t want to have a game of two halves.”
The coach believes Uganda have improved since the start of the tournament and hopes that progress will show against Ethiopia.
“When you look at the two games we played, you can see improvement in the performance. Individually, the players are growing, and collectively, the team is much better,” he said.
“Hopefully, tomorrow we can improve from where we stopped in our last game against Ethiopia.”
Despite Uganda’s strong record against their opponents, Kingston expects a tough encounter and has warned his players not to underestimate Ethiopia.
“They have a very good team and have played very good football. We’ve managed to see all their games. They are a team that can hurt any opponent, so we need to be very careful,” he said.
“But we don’t have to think about them too much. We’re thinking about the game plan we’re bringing on board. We’ll see how they deal with it.”
Five Cubs make group-stage best XI
Uganda’s progress has also been reflected in the selection of five players in the group-stage best XI, an achievement Kingston believes rewards their hard work. These five players are left-back Ukasha Jemba, midfielders Henry Muhoozi and Arnold Kayemba and forwards Nicholas Kawooya alongside Junior Ofoyrwth.
The coach credited the players for their commitment during preparations and urged them to maintain their standards as the tournament enters its decisive stage.
“The decision is well respected, and I give credit to the boys who made it. It doesn’t come easy,” he said.
“We know what we took them through: the sleepless nights, waking up in the early hours and working hard in training. I think it’s paying off. I congratulate them and urge them to keep going.”
Kingston wants more players to earn individual recognition but insists the team’s main priority is securing qualification.
“We have two more games to the final, but tomorrow’s game is very important. We expect them to maintain their positions and hope to see more players in the final XI, winning individual honours and also as a team,” he said.
“I’m happy to see them in the best XI. If we win the semi-final, that means we’re back at the AFCON U-17.”
Cubs target third straight AFCON qualification
Beyond Saturday’s match, Kingston wants Uganda to establish consistency at major youth tournaments.
The Cubs are targeting their third consecutive U-17 AFCON qualification after reaching last year’s continental tournament and progressing to the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
Those achievements have raised expectations, and Kingston knows the team must maintain that standard.
“It’s very important. We need consistency in our performance and in appearing at all the major competitions,” he said.
“Last year, we were at the AFCON and also made it to the World Cup. So we’ve already raised the bar to that level.”
The coach believes Ugandans now expect the Cubs to return to the continental stage and says the technical team is working hard to deliver.
“I believe Ugandans will not accept anything other than repeating it. We have pressure on ourselves. A lot of people expect us to get back to the AFCON, and I would love to see the team there again,” he said.
“It’s very important to keep appearing in major competitions because this is a development group. The more you appear in major competitions, the better for the country.
“We’re putting pressure on ourselves because that’s the bar. We need to get there or go above it.”
Alongside qualification, these two sides have the top scorers of the tournament so far with Uganda’s Arnold Kayemba and Sebastian Fisher Quinn on 3 goals, while Zemicheal Minyahel of Ethiopia comes in third with two goals.
History favours Uganda
Uganda have enjoyed success against Ethiopia in previous CECAFA youth competitions.
In December 2020, the Cubs beat Ethiopia 3-0 in the semi-final at Umuganda Stadium in Rubavu, with Oscar Mawa scoring twice and Ivan Irinimbabazi adding the other goal.
Uganda also won a regional final listed in the historical record as November 2019/December 2018, beating Ethiopia 3-1 through Samson Kasozi and Idd Abdul Wahid, who scored twice. Mintesnot Wakjira scored Ethiopia’s goal.
Ethiopia, however, claimed a 1-0 victory in the August 2018 CAF U-17 Regional Qualifiers group stage at Chamanza Stadium in Tanzania, with Wakjira scoring in the 13th minute.
Last year, Uganda again beat Ethiopia 3-0 in the semi-final, with Lorian Lwesibawa scoring twice and Thomas Ogema adding the third goal at Abebe Bikila Stadium.
The latest meeting ended 1-1, showing the challenge awaiting the Cubs on Saturday. In the other semi-final, hosts Rwanda will face Somalia.
Three teams will qualify for the 2027 U-17 AFCON from the CECAFA zone. The three group winners and the best second-placed team advance to the semi-finals, while the finalists and the winner of the third-place play-off secure the available tickets.