AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Cranes eye historic win in opposition to Libya at Hoima

David GOMBE

Uganda Cranes will lock horns with Libya of their second match of the Pamoja 2027 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers and the primary ever nationwide workforce match to be hosted beneath the lights of Hoima Metropolis Stadium on Tuesday.

The Cranes shall be in search of most factors within the maiden nationwide workforce match on the venue. Uganda performed out a 1-1 stalemate with 2004 African Champions Tunisia within the first match of the marketing campaign in Tunis final Thursday.

Libya alternatively got here from 2-0 all the way down to drive a 2-2 draw in opposition to Botswana.

What the coaches say,

Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put is focusing on three factors in opposition to Libya.

“We had a protracted journey to go to Tunisia, play in Tunisia in solely two days preparation, then got here again. We delayed, so the gamers had been very drained yesterday. Right now we’re going to see on coaching how the response is, after which we’ve to be prepared for the sport tomorrow.
Now we have to be trustworthy. We performed AFCON. I believe earlier than AFCON, we did it very properly, the workforce. We did good ends in the World Cup, additionally for our qualification. However in AFCON, we needed to be reasonable. And if we performed the large groups, we had it tough.”

“Now we have been attempting to strengthen the workforce. And now it’s additionally on them to show that they actually can reinforce the workforce.”stated the Belgian.

His counterpart Youssou Dabo is optimistic that his males can construct on their second-half efficiency in opposition to Botswana to beat the Cranes.

“We’re grateful for the nice and cozy reception up to now obtained,” began Dabo. “We’re right here to play and win however we all know will probably be a tricky sport in opposition to an excellent aspect that has been collectively for a while now,” he added.

“Within the first sport, our spirit within the second half is what I would like us to hold right here. Taking part in within the new stadium, we wish to make historical past by profitable the primary sport at Hoima.”

On Sunday, FUFA confirmed that they’d recognized 9 new gamers who’re with the workforce for the essential AFCON 2027 qualifier in opposition to Libya, and the upcoming worldwide friendlies in opposition to DR Congo throughout this FIFA window.

Throughout Uganda’s 1-1 stalemate in opposition to Tunisia final week, Nathan Asiimwe and Noble Okello had been the 2 new faces that featured within the sport performed in Tunis on Thursday and it stays to be seen whether or not some new faces will make their debuts.

The opposite seven new gamers are Abdoulaye Sissako, Akpan David Udoh, Dieudonne Gaucho Debohi, Souleyman Diaby, Vula Arnold, Kelvin Owusu Boateng and Kingdom Osayi.