I was doing my job - Laryea Kingston breaks silence after beating Ghana to qualify for U-17 World Cup

Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston has spoken about the emotional challenge of leading Uganda’s U-17 national team to victory over Ghana’s Black Starlets, a result that secured Uganda’s place at the FIFA U-17 World Cup while extending Ghana’s wait for a return to the global tournament.

Kingston, who previously coached the Black Starlets, guided Uganda’s Young Cranes to a dramatic triumph over Ghana during the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco last month.

After an entertaining 2-2 draw in regulation time, Uganda prevailed 8-7 in a tense penalty shootout in Rabat to book their ticket to the U-17 World Cup in Qatar.

The defeat was a bitter blow for Ghana, whose absence from the FIFA U-17 World Cup has now stretched to nine years. The match quickly became one of the defining moments of the tournament, particularly because of Kingston’s connection to Ghana football.

Reflecting on the experience in an interview with 3Sports, the former Black Stars winger admitted that he found himself caught between professional responsibility and national loyalty.

“I was just doing my job. I would not want anyone to be in my position that day,” he said.

“I was standing between my job and my country as well. It was a very hard moment for me. At the end of the day, that is where my paychecks come from," Kingston added.

Despite the emotional circumstances, Kingston remained focused on his duties and successfully guided Uganda to one of the biggest achievements in the country’s youth football history.

Since taking charge of Uganda’s youth setup in 2025, the former Hearts of Oak and Black Stars midfielder has overseen remarkable progress within the programme.

Under his leadership, the Young Cranes qualified for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations before securing a historic berth at the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The achievement has further enhanced Kingston’s growing reputation as a coach, while Uganda’s qualification stands as a landmark moment for youth football in the East African nation.