By: Kwame Bediako
Laryea Kingston has made history as the first Ghanaian coach to qualify Uganda’s U17 national team for a major international tournament.
The former Ghana U17 head coach led the Uganda U17 side to a triumphant qualification for the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations, following an impressive run in the CECAFA U17 Qualifiers.
Kingston secured Uganda’s spot in the continental competition after a commanding 3–0 victory over Ethiopia in the semi-finals.
This milestone caps a remarkable start to his tenure, which included dominant wins such as a 4–0 victory over Burundi and a stunning 9–0 rout of Sudan. These results highlight the team’s exceptional form under his guidance.
Since taking charge of Uganda’s Men’s Youth Teams, Kingston has swiftly transformed the squad with a modern, energetic, and tactically disciplined style of play.
His influence is evident in the youth side’s performance, having scored 17 goals while conceding just 2 throughout the qualification campaign, underlining his strong impact on the team’s development.
For Ugandan football, this qualification signals significant progress in nurturing youth talent, while for Kingston, it marks a proud and historic achievement as a Ghanaian coach succeeding on foreign soil.
His accomplishments have earned admiration from football fans and experts both within Uganda and Ghana, who have closely followed his impressive journey.
Looking ahead, Uganda will enter the 2026 U17 Africa Cup of Nations with renewed confidence and ambition, guided by a Ghanaian coach who is not only making history but is also shaping the future of East African youth football.
Kingston’s success stands as a testament to his coaching prowess and the growing influence of Ghanaian football expertise abroad.
