Kingston Names Final Squad as Uganda Targets U-20 AFCON Return

What the report says

Uganda’s U-20 men’s national team, the Hippos, have finalized a 20-player squad for the CECAFA U-20 Championship qualifiers in Tanzania, according to Nile Post. Head coach Laryea Kingston trimmed his provisional group after training at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru, and the team is set to open its campaign on Tuesday in Dar es Salaam.

The squad blends locally based players with young footballers from clubs in the United States and Europe. Nile Post reported that the selection includes two goalkeepers, eight defenders, five midfielders and five forwards, with names drawn from clubs such as BUL FC, Vipers SC, Lugazi FC, Masaka Sunshine and AC Amager. Uganda has been placed in Group B with Sudan and Djibouti.

The qualifiers will run from September 15 to 24 at the renovated Uhuru Stadium. Under the tournament format, the top team from each group and the best runner-up will reach the semi-finals, and the two finalists will secure places at the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. Uganda is aiming to return to that continental competition after finishing runners-up in the previous CECAFA U-20 qualifiers.

FUFA official Frank Ankunzire will lead the delegation, while Kingston will be supported by assistants and technical staff including Bashir Ssemuyaba, goalkeeping coach Stephen Billy Kiggundu and fitness coach Denis Kizito. The campaign matters because qualification would restore Uganda to the regional and continental youth stage and offer more exposure for a new generation of players.