The Uganda Cranes will host their AFCON qualifier match against Algeria in Cameroon. This comes after an official statement by the football governing body, FUFA on Tuesday 25th April 2023.
“Today, Tuesday 25th April 2023 being the deadline set by CAF for all federations to submit names of venues to be used for the qualifiers due in June, the FUFA Executive has decided to host the Uganda Cranes next AFCON 2023 home fixture against Algeria in Cameroon,” the statement read in part.
“This decision comes after FUFA inspected Mandela National Stadium on Monday 24th April 2023 and confirmed that the Stadium is not ready to host the qualifiers that resume in June,” the stated added.
The federation has described the work as very slow and insensitive to cries of the public to be able to host the matches in Uganda.
“I call upon the relevant government authorities to urgently cancel the contracts of the contractors and supervisors and immediately procure experienced service providers in stadium construction even if it means being obtained from outside Uganda. The country is likely to have a delayed project, substandard work, and without value for money.” Said Magogo the President of FUFA
FUFA calls upon all Ugandans to continue supporting the Uganda Cranes from all corners of the world as we bid to qualify for the 2023 AFCON Finals to be hosted by Ivory Coast next year.
This is not the first time the Uganda Cranes are hosting games away from home in this tournament. The Cranes hosted the Taifa Stars late last month in Egypt at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Egypt where it ended 1-0 in favor of Tanzania.
However, On the 29th March 2023, the Minister of State for Education and Sports, Hon Peter Ogwang made a promise to all Ugandans that the game against Algeria shall be played at the favorite cranes ground, Mandela National Stadium. “The game against Algeria will be played here in Namboole Stadium on 12th June. That is my promise to Ugandans.”
Uganda Cranes is pitted in Group F together with Tanzania, Algeria, and Niger.
Micho’s side is 3rd on the table with 4 points in the 4 games played so far.