Football

Kingston plots another AFCON charge

Published

1 week ago

October 8, 2026

Back with the Uganda Cubs after a demanding stint with the Hippos (U-20), Ghanaian tactician Laryea Kingston has returned with a sharp, anchoring message for his squad which is to respect the opposition but focus squarely on what Uganda can control.

As the Cubs settle into Kigali ahead of the 2027 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations CECAFA qualifiers, the stakes are high. Running from October 10 to 19, the tournament will unfold across the Kigali Pelé Stadium and the FERWAFA Technical Centre.

Kingston, who successfully guided Uganda to the 2026 U-17 AFCON through the previous CECAFA qualifiers, is now hunting for a repeat performance as the nation seeks a fourth appearance at the continental finals.

Uganda’s rich regional pedigree has set expectations sky-high. The Cubs previously qualified for the U-17 AFCON three times: in 2019 under Peter Onen, 2025 under Brian Ssenyondo, and 2026 under Kingston. Their regional record reflects consistent dominance, starting when they won the 2018/19 qualifiers in Tanzania by beating Ethiopia 3-1.

They followed it up by winning the 2020 edition in Rwanda 3-1 against Tanzania, though that continental tournament was ultimately cancelled. After finishing runners-up in the 2022 qualifiers in Ethiopia and missing out, the Cubs secured a berth at the 2025 AFCON by taking second place in the 2024 Kampala tournament, highlighted by a 4-1 semifinal victory over Somalia.

They repeated that runner-up feat in Ethiopia in 2025, overcoming the hosts 3-0 in the semi-finals to seal qualification for the 2026 AFCON in Morocco. Now, Kigali presents the next chapter.

Uganda arrives in Rwanda having travelled on Tuesday, quickly shaking off travel fatigue with a positive first training session.

“The team is in good spirits. Yesterday we came in, and we did a lot of integration. We put them out there to run and then clear their lungs, which went very well,” Kingston said.

The regional draw places Uganda in Group B alongside hosts Ethiopia and Burundi. Group A consists of hosts Rwanda, Sudan, Somalia, and South Sudan, while Group C features Tanzania, Kenya, and Djibouti.

However, Djibouti’s recent withdrawal could force a restructuring of the groups, with official fixtures yet to be released. The tournament format dictates that the top team in each group, alongside the best runner-up, will progress to the semi-finals, while the two finalists and the winner of the third-place play-off will punch their tickets to the 2027 U-17 AFCON.

With the opening game scheduled for Saturday, Kingston is managing his players’ physical loads meticulously.

“Today is three days before match day. For us, we’re looking at areas that we need to improve. You know, we need to improve on how we can defend the spaces behind us. That’s where we focused on. Tomorrow we also have a different phase that we need to look at. I think today’s session went well,” Kingston explained.

“Because it’s three days to match day, we increased the volume a little bit for them. Tomorrow we’ll decrease it a little bit so that they get used to the situations, which we call tapering moments. Overall, I think the group is looking good. Today’s training went well. Tomorrow we come back again and then focus on a different phase. That can conflict with what we worked on today.”

Having spent a year working in East African football, Kingston feels confident in his understanding of the regional mindset, yet he refuses to be overly consumed by external threats.

“I think we’re on a good track and we’re looking forward to playing on Saturday’s opening game. I’ve spent one year in East Africa. At the moment, I know how the East African teams think,” he noted.

“You know, in all the teams that have qualified to this competition, we have so much respect for every team. But at the moment, we have two hurdles to jump, which are Ethiopia and Burundi. So at the moment, we’re focusing on them.”

Having watched both nations, Kingston expects them to be proactive and willing to play open football, much like Uganda. However, his philosophy prioritises internal execution over early opponent obsession.

“Watching two countries, I think they also want to play football. Same as us. But at the end of the day, I don’t really like to focus on the opponent too much,” he said.

“We have a game plan. After the first game, that’s when we all understand that we’ve seen the opponent, their strengths, their weaknesses. That’s how we start opponent analysis.”

Balancing analytical patience with deep sportsmanship, he added: “Much respect for every team that is in the competition… They also want to play good football. So we all have to pay particular attention to each other. And then during the day of games, we need to adapt and adjust to whatever the opponent throws at us.”

Reassured by the attitude of his young players, Kingston believes the squad is primed for battle. “We are ready. We can see the team; the boys are in good spirits. They’re working hard in training. Preparation has been very good. So we are ready to compete,” he affirmed.

Kingston has named a 20-player squad for the campaign, featuring several youngsters from the last AFCON tournament where Uganda notably qualified for the World Cup scheduled for next month.

Returning core players include Henry Muhoozi, Arafat Ibanda, and Nicholas Kawooya. The squad also includes Isaiah Swaibu Matthews of Arsenal, though FUFA Corporate Affairs Director Ahmed Hussein clarified that the young talent will not feature in the active matches, but will instead travel with the team for vital acclimatisation.

The post Kingston plots another AFCON charge appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

Kintu wants URA to arrest poor run

Published

11 hours ago

October 15, 2026

Kenny Malone

Thursday October 15, 2026

Express FC vs UPDF FC – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo (4:00 PM)
Kataka FC vs Vipers SC – BCS Sports Complex (4:00 PM)
URA FC vs Entebbe UPPC – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo (7:00 PM)

URA head coach Jimmy Kintu wants his side to arrest the poor run of form when they host Entebbe UPPC at the Hamz stadium, Nakivubo on Thursday.

The tax men come into the game on the back of three defeats on the bounce and will be desperate to collect maximum points.

“We badly need to end this run,” said Kintu. “There were some positives from the game against KCCA which we lost and we want to build on that,” he added.

Kintu however understands how tough a task it will be against Abdallah Mubiru’s side who he described as well coached.

“They are one of the best well coached sides and it will be a tough game against them but we have no option but try and win.”

It remains to be seen if a lot of changes will be made by the ex-Calvary and Express tactician who started the last match without a recognized no.9.

URA are 15^th with 3 points on the log while the Printers are third with 10 points.

The visitors, who also shared same home, Nakivubo will look to Ambrose Kigozi, Steven Munguchi and Reich Kokolo among others for inspiration.

Elsewhere, Express take on UPDF in the day’s early kick off at the same venue while champions Vipers travel to Kataka.

The post Kintu wants URA to arrest poor run appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

“We Can’t Underrate UPDF,” Warns Express Boss Byekwaso Ahead of Nakivubo Clash

Published

11 hours ago

October 15, 2026

Kenny Malone

Express FC head coach Morley Byekwaso has issued a stern warning to his squad, demanding absolute focus and zero complacency ahead of their Thursday afternoon showdown against UPDF FC at the Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo.

The Red Eagles head into the fixture having navigated a brutal opening stretch of the season, which saw them square off against heavyweights c including BUL, KCCA, SC Villa, Kitara, and NEC. While facing the army side might look like a breather on paper, Byekwaso is refusing to buy into the narrative of an “easy fixture.”

The math supports the manager’s caution. Both Express and UPDF sit neck-and-neck on five points, but the army side holds a distinct advantage with a game in hand and a superior position in the standings.

“The fact that we play in the same division means we can’t take them for granted,” Byekwaso told the press. “They are a good side who have the same points as us and are even above us in positioning. That is a clear sign to show they will be no pushovers.”

Squad Boost for the Red Eagles

The former SC Villa and KCCA tactician is expected to shuffle his pack to spark more clinical attacking play. Experienced left-back Shafik Batambuze is tipped to return to the squad after missing out on the hard-fought goalless draw away to NEC.

Additionally, midfielder Nicholas Jjonga is expected to be recalled to the starting eleven after being relegated to the bench in their last outing.

Express will start as slight favorites as they hunt for their first maximum points since their stunning 2-0 victory over rivals KCCA on matchday two. However, UPDF will prove a stubborn nut to crack, despite also registering just a single win from their opening four matches.

Thursday Super Double-Header at Nakivubo

The Express-UPDF clash is just the curtain-raiser for a massive day of Ugandan football, with Hamz Stadium hosting a highly anticipated double-header.

Later in the evening, URA FC will play host to Entebbe UPPC under the floodlights at 7:00 PM.

Meanwhile, defending champions Vipers SC face a tricky away trip as they travel to Bukedea to battle Kataka FC at the BCS Sports Complex.

Thursday, October 15, 2026 Fixtures

Express FC vs UPDF FC – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo (4:00 PM)
Kataka FC vs Vipers SC – BCS Sports Complex, Bukedea (4:00 PM)
URA FC vs Entebbe UPPC – Hamz Stadium, Nakivubo (7:00 PM)

The post “We Can’t Underrate UPDF,” Warns Express Boss Byekwaso Ahead of Nakivubo Clash appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Football

Pressure mounts on Lavagne as Vipers visit Kataka

Published

11 hours ago

October 15, 2026

Kenny Malone

Denis Lavagne faces a defining moment in his tenure as Vipers SC head coach when his side travels to the Bukedea Comprehensive School (BCS) Sports Complex to take on Kataka FC this Thursday, October 15, 2026.

Following a frustrating 1-1 draw against Maroons FC, the French tactician is under no illusions: anything short of maximum points against the league struggling hosts could cost him his job.

Tactical Shake-up Expected in Bukedea

After drawing heavy criticism for fielding an overly cautious system with five defenders against the Prison Warders, Lavagne is expected to overhaul both his playing system and personnel.

The Venoms are tipped to adopt a more aggressive, attack-minded approach to break down the hosts. Veteran playmaker Farouk Miya is widely expected to be recalled to the starting eleven to inject much-needed creativity. To facilitate this tactical shift, one of the central defenders—Hilary Mukundane, Princewell Tarabina, or Bady Dasylva—will likely drop to the substitute bench.

David vs. Goliath? Not Quite.

On paper, Vipers enter the tie as heavy favourites. The star-studded Kitende-based club sits 10^th on the 18-team log with 7 points, while Kataka languish second from bottom in 17^th place with a mere 2 points from 5 matches.

However, league standings can be deceptive. Kataka remain hunting for their first win of the campaign, but they proved their resilience by holding record champions SC Villa to a chaotic 1-1 draw. Playing on their home turf at the BCS Sports Complex, the underdogs will rely on that same grit to cause an upset against a vulnerable Vipers side.

Nakivubo to Host Thursday Double-Header

Away from the drama in Bukedea, football fans in Kampala are in for a treat as the Hamz Stadium in Nakivubo hosts a highly anticipated double-header.

Express FC vs. UPDF FC (4:00 PM): Seven-time league champions Express FC will look to assert their dominance at home against a stubborn UPDF side in the afternoon kick-off.

URA FC vs. Entebbe UPPC (7:00 PM): The Tax Collectors will take center stage under the floodlights in the late evening fixture, welcoming Entebbe UPPC.

Thursday, October 15, 2026 Fixture Summary