Kingston confident as Uganda Cubs step up Morocco 2026 AFCON U-17 preparations

With the countdown to the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2026 underway, Uganda’s U-17 national team head coach Laryea Kingston has expressed growing optimism in his squad’s readiness as they enter the final phase of preparations.

The Cubs are set to depart for Morocco this evening, where they will pitch camp in Casablanca to fine-tune their approach ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on May 13th.

The training camp will play a crucial role in sharpening both tactical awareness and overall match fitness.

As part of their build-up, Uganda has lined up two international friendlies to test their readiness. They will first face Mozambique on May 5th before taking on Mali four days later, fixtures designed to challenge the team and refine their competitive edge.

Kingston believes the players are steadily embracing his tactical demands, noting significant improvement in their decision-making and responsibility on the pitch.

KINGSTON HAILS TACTICAL GROWTH AS UGANDA GEARS UP FOR GROUP B BATTLE

“There is more room for improvement, but from where we are, we have so much confidence in the team,” said Kingston. “The boys are responding well, taking responsibility, and finding solutions during games. That shows we are moving in the right direction.”

The former Ghana international emphasised that the focus now shifts to perfecting the game plan while maintaining physical sharpness heading into the tournament.

“We will use this period to assess opponents and test ourselves in the friendly matches. The aim is to stay sharp but also ensure the players remain fresh for the competition,” he added.

The technical bench will use the Morocco camp to strengthen team chemistry, polish tactical organisation, and ensure the squad reaches peak condition before the tournament begins.

Uganda has been drawn into a competitive Group B, where they will face Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and DR Congo in what promises to be a stern test for the young Cubs.