Laryea Kingston’s blazing start to life as Head Coach of Uganda’s youth national teams continued on Friday as his U17 side demolished Sudan 9–0 in the CECAFA U17 2026 AFCON Qualifiers. The emphatic victory, their second in the tournament, sends Uganda straight into the semi-finals and further cements Kingston’s fast-rising reputation in East African football.
Uganda were unstoppable from start to finish, netting three goals in the first half before adding six more after the break. The young Cranes displayed remarkable cohesion, tactical discipline and ruthless attacking play—traits that have quickly become associated with Kingston’s new-look team. Their high-pressing, swift transitions and clinical finishing left Sudan with no answers throughout the match.
The result means Uganda have now scored 13 goals in just two games under Kingston’s leadership, having earlier thrashed Burundi 4–0 in his debut match. The impressive run not only highlights the attacking potential of the squad but also signals the strong technical direction the team is receiving from their new coach.
Since his appointment two months ago as the head of Uganda’s Men’s Youth Teams, Kingston has been tasked with redefining the country’s developmental pathway from U15 up to U20 level. His early results, however, suggest he is already ahead of schedule. The players appear reenergized, confident, and fully committed to the new philosophy he is instilling.
With a semi-final slot secured, Uganda are now considered one of the favourites to book their ticket to the 2026 U17 AFCON in Morocco. Kingston’s impressive early run has injected renewed belief into the Ugandan system and heightened expectations among fans and officials.
For now, though, one thing is clear: Uganda’s U17s have become a side impossible to ignore—and their coach is putting together a remarkable story in East African football.