Just In: Uganda Cranes To Play Algeria In Cameroon

The Uganda Cranes have decided to host their next AFCON 2023 qualifiers game against Algeria in Cameroon, at a patch yet to be selected.

The group F encounter will be of hyper importance as Uganda are neck-on-neck alongside Tanzania on four points, in the fight for second spot.

A statement from FUFA reads;

“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 taken a decision to host the Uganda Cranes next AFCON 2023 home fixture against Algeria in Cameroon.

“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.

“However, FUFA expresses its disappoinment at the latest ongoing works at the Mandela stadium following yesterday’s routine site visit by the minister of state for sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, FUFA President Hon. Magogo Moses Hassim and Stadium officials.

“FUFA 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 Goverment 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 delayed project, substandard work and and without value for money,” said Magogo, the FUFA President.

Algeria and Cameroon have seen their relationship strained overtime, after Cameroon eliminated Algeria on the road to the 2022 Qatar world cup.

Tension further skied as some Algerian cum Olympic Lyon fans sent death threats to Cameroonian international Karl Toko Ekambi, who scored that famous goal which took Cameroon to a record extending 8th World Cup finals.

FECAFOOT boss Samuel Eto’o, lost it against Algerian YouTuber Sadani SM after the later was harassed in the streets of Doha.

While tempers seem to have watered down, the choice to use Cameroon as a home venue seems a witty one from Uganda’s perspective. The game is penciled for June 12, and a win for Uganda will take them up to 7 points.