Peter Tabu
Uganda Cranes have been rewarded handsomely for qualifying for a second straight Africa Cup of Nations tournament due next year in Cameroon. The Cranes sealed qualification on November 17 after beating Cape Verde 1-0. The goal was headed into the back of the net by KCCA FC’s Patrick Kaddu with 12 minutes left.
The million dollar revelation was made by Federation of Uganda Football Associations’ president Moses Magogo at a weekly press briefing in Mengo on Wednesday.
Eng. Magogo stated that $1million (about Shs3.8b) had been paid to the Uganda Cranes players and officials as qualification bonus to the biennial continental showpiece by President Museveni.
‘I want to thank the President and the First Lady for the immense contribution made towards football. I also want to credit other sponsors who have supported the Cranes all through. This is how we should move,” a jovial Magogo said.
Magogo also used the same press conference to announce that the Cranes next target is qualification to the 2026 World Cup which will be hosted by Canada, USA and Mexico. The 2026 World Cup will attract 48 teams from six confederations.
Africa will be represented by nine nations instead of the usual five while Europe will attract 16, AFC eight, CONCACAF six, South America six and Oceania one.
The Uganda Cranes who are fresh from a goalless draw against Nigeria on Tuesday evening in Asaba will wrap up their qualification campaign away to Tanzania in Dar-es-saalam, a game President Museveni requested the team to win even after sealing a qualification spot.
Uganda have played five matches, winning four and drawing on. The Cranes are also the only team not to concede a goal in the whole qualification campaign scoring seven goals.
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