On Wednesday, Confederation of African Football- CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced that the East African joint bid between Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda- famously known as East Africa Pamoja had been awarded hosting rights for the 2027 Afcon tournament.
The Crested Cranes find themselves in a challenging position as they enter the return leg after suffering a 2-1 defeat in the first leg held at the FUFA Technical Center in Njeru just a week ago.
I am so happy to join Vipers Sports Club! I am so excited to be here at this big club and l didn’t have to think twice when Vipers called me, l just knew l wanted to sign for the club. I can’t wait to get started with the team.” Okello said after joining Vipers SC.
The proposed multipurpose sports complex is expected to have a main indoor arena with a capacity of 15,000 spectators, an eight-lane swimming pool, a multi-purpose standard pitch, a 60-person athlete hostel, accommodation with 120 rooms, a showroom, a shopping center, and a top-tier fitness gym, among other amenities.
Nuwagaba attributed his departure primarily to career and personal reasons and will officially leave office on October 16, 2023. Similarly, Allan Mugume, the Chief Executive Officer of the Association, tendered his resignation citing personal reasons. He will officially hand over office on December 11, 2023.
FUFA in a statement said that while Mubiru had initially agreed to accept the position, he subsequently had a change of heart and communicated his decision to decline the offer due to personal reasons.
Currently, Uganda Cranes is focused on the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, with fixtures recently released. They will start with an away clash against Guinea, scheduled between November 13th to 21st, 2023. In Group G, Uganda will compete with Guinea, Algeria, Mozambique, Botswana, and Somalia for a spot in the next World Cup.
The series of disappointments began with Grace Nankinga and Jonah Kyobe being eliminated in the initial rounds. Later, Shadir Musa Bwogi, who had initially received a bye, suffered a surprising defeat at the hands of Algeria's Nemouchi Younes.
“Today, Thursday 14th September 2023, FUFA and Mr. Milutin Sredojevic agreed to mutually end the existing employment contract between the two parties. FUFA appreciates all efforts and commitment by Mr. Milutin during his period as Head coach of Uganda Cranes.” Reads a statement by FUFA
There was a glimmer of hope as Isaac Zebra Ssenyange advanced with a walkover victory when his opponent, Deng Malou of South Sudan, failed to show up for the Men's 51kg round of 32bout.
The club announced Muhameed on their official website on Thursday evening. Muhameed’s move comes barely a month since the She Cranes took the world by storm when they finished the overall best team in Africa at the just concluded Netball World Cup.
With four points, and sitting in the third position before the game, the Ugandan team needed more than a win, to qualify for the tournament. But the team's fate was closely tied to the results of the simultaneous Tanzania vs. Algeria match, which ended in a goalless draw giving Tanzania a spot in AFCON for the first time since 2019.
To secure their place in AFCON, Uganda must claim victory against Niger and simultaneously rely on the outcome of the Tanzania vs. Algeria match, played concurrently.
The team will begin preparations at the FUFA Technical Centre in Njeru on Wednesday ahead of the first leg to be held on September 16. The teams will meet again a week later in Algiers for the return leg. The winner between Uganda and Algeria will face either Burundi or Ethiopia in the second and final qualification round.
