Uganda will face hosts Ethiopia this afternoon in the semifinals of the CECAFA U17 AFCON Zonal Qualifiers, with captain Owen Mukisa and head coach Laryea Kingston both insisting the Cubs are ready for the challenge.
Mukisa said the group is determined to reach the final and keep Uganda’s strong record at this level. He called it a privilege to play at this stage and thanked supporters for rallying behind the team. He said the group feels in good condition and believes they have what it takes to overcome the hosts.
He also underlined the wider objective of securing qualification for the AFCON finals, saying the players understand what is at stake and remain focused on the target. Mukisa added that the energy from Ugandan fans in Ethiopia has lifted the squad and pushed them to work harder.
Kingston echoed that confidence after the team’s final training session.
He said the squad has shown impressive energy throughout the week and believes that even a portion of that level will be enough to put Uganda in control of the match. He maintained that Uganda will stick to its attacking identity and look to dominate the game as they have throughout the tournament.
He noted that qualification is the priority but stressed that player development remains central to the programme. Kingston said Ethiopia’s home crowd will not change the team’s approach and that once the whistle goes, it becomes a contest between two sides on the pitch.
The Cubs go into the semifinal with momentum, belief, and a clear mission to secure an AFCON finals place and extend Uganda’s record in the region.
