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With Uganda still searching for its next crop of players to help guide the country back to the Africa Cup of Nations and also secure the 2026 World Cup dream.
Edward Golola is regarded as one of the most experienced coaches and talent scouts in Uganda football, with experience spanning over 15 years in youth football development.
Golola has overseen the emergency of many top footballers today, especially those that went through the St. Marys Kitende school football system.
With Uganda still searching for its next crop of players to help guide the country back to the Africa Cup of Nations and also secure the 2026 World Cup dream, Golola says FUFA ought to improve player supervision at the U-23 level adding that most of the young players stagnate at that stage.
"I give credit to FUFA for the youth set-up, especially the Junior League, it is a feeder to most clubs now which is great, however, I think we need a follow-up on most of the players," Golola explained.
"After the U-17 and U-20, we need a follow-up at the U-23 level. To be honest we have so many talents who stand out at the U-17 and 20 levels but after that, only a few make it so we have to cater for that category."
The 52-year-old was also quick to call out the national team coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic to be involved with all youth coaches and set-ups.
"I also think the Cranes coach Micho must liaise with youth coaches, he needs to share his vision with them so that they synchronize the country's identity," he noted.
"In Germany, the head coach meets the local coaches to agree on a style of play which is used across all age groups,"
"It is important because then every player who comes through the ranks has an idea of the style of play which I don't see here," Golola added.
FUFA Youth football development manager, Bashir Mutyaba agrees that the U-23 category needs a bit more supervision, a project they will embark on in the near future.
"We need to monitor players after the U20 category, we need to ensure they go through that stage to develop more before they graduate to the senior team but that's a project for the near future," Mutyaba mentioned.
According to the current national team set-up, Micho is in charge of Uganda’s U23 side, but the Kobs have not played a game since July 2021 and were also withdrawn from the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
Countries across the world with successful youth football programs have the U-23 as the last development stage before players cross to the national team.
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