Ivan Kigozi
The state minister for sports Hon. Peter Ogwang has assured Ugandans that the national team Uganda Cranes will host the next AFCON qualification game from Namboole.
The Cranes will be hosting Algeria in a Group F encounter but there happens to be a huge uncertainty hovering around the venue where the game will be played.
The game against Algeria will be played here in Namboole Stadium on 12th June. That is my promise to Ugandans.
— Peter Ogwang (@OgwangOgwang) March 29, 2023
When shooting always aim at the ultimate prize. I have shifted office to Namboole just to ensure works are completed on time.
— Peter Ogwang (@OgwangOgwang) March 29, 2023
Mandela National Stadium, Namboole has been out of use since the outbreak of Covid-19 in the country that saw the stadium turn into a Covid treatment center.
However early this year, renovation of the stadium got underway in a project by the UPDF Engineering Brigade department.
The overall facelift will cost about 97 billion shillings and will be expected to conclude in June.
There has been a public outcry from the football fans in the country about Uganda hosting games from outside the country since no stadium in Uganda is deemed fit by CAF standards.
17th November 2019 is the last day Uganda hosted a national team game at Namboole, a 2-0 win over Malawi in the 2021 AFCON qualification campaign.
Subsequently, Fufa opted for St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende but lately, it has also been declared below CAF’s required standards which means Uganda can only host away from home.
The Cranes beat Tanzania 1-0 through Rogers Mato’s late goal and bounced back into the qualification equation which means the final two games are so crucial.
Uganda and Tanzania are tied on four points each while Niger lies bottom of the table with two points.
As of now, Namboole has no playing surface but in place. Will Uganda’s football cathedral be ready in two months?
