Uganda U-17 head coach Laryea Kingston says his side’s opening win at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 has given the squad belief and confidence as they look to build momentum in the tournament.
Uganda began their Group B campaign in style with a commanding 3-0 victory over DR Congo, a result that stood out among the opening round fixtures and strengthened hopes of a deep run in the competition.
Kingston, the former Ghana international, praised his players for recovering from a slow start and growing into the match, crediting their discipline and willingness to follow instructions.
“It was a very good performance. To say I am satisfied, yes definitely,” Kingston said in an interview with CAFOnline.com. “We did not start the game very well, but as the match progressed, the boys settled down.”
He added that the players’ ability to stick to the tactical plan was key to the result, especially given the pressure of a first appearance on the continental stage for many in the squad.
Uganda’s performance was built on structure and attacking intent, with captain Owen Mukisa once again influential in midfield. Kingston described Mukisa as one of the most talented young players in the country, while stressing the need to carefully manage his development.
The victory has boosted Uganda’s ambitions of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their history and staying in contention for one of Africa’s qualification slots for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026.
Kingston said the result was also important psychologically, highlighting the mental growth of his players and the work done behind the scenes to prepare them for the demands of tournament football.
“The psychological side is extremely important,” he said. “We introduced what we call character class, where we discuss different topics together as a group to help them understand responsibility and how to deal with difficult moments.”
Looking ahead, Kingston warned that Uganda’s next Group B fixture against Cameroon would be a major test, but insisted the win over DR Congo had strengthened belief within the squad.
“We are focusing fully on Cameroon now,” he said. “This was a very important result for the players and for all Ugandans.”
Kingston also pointed to consistency and continued investment in youth development as key for Uganda to compete regularly with Africa’s leading football nations, saying the country is not far from that level.
He reserved praise for the Uganda Football Federation, acknowledging the support he has received since taking charge and expressing appreciation for the environment created for the team.
To the supporters, Kingston delivered a simple message of gratitude and commitment as Uganda’s campaign gathers pace.
“Our responsibility now is to keep working hard on and off the pitch to bring joy and smiles to the people of Uganda,” he said.
