CAF U-17 2015 YOUTH QUALIFIER:
Uganda Vs Rwanda
Date: Saturday, 19th July, 2014, Kick off time: 14hrs EST
Venue: Namboole National Stadium, Kampala
CAF 2015 ORANGE AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS QUALIFIERS
Uganda Vs Mauritania
Date: Saturday 19.09.2014, kick-off Time: 17hrs00 EST
VENUE: Mandela National Stadium Namboole – Kampala.
Match officials: Ref: Hudu Munyemana (Rwanda), Ass Ref 1: Theogene NDAGIJIMANA (Rwanda), and Ass Ref 2: Ambroise
HAKIZIMANA (Rwanda), Fourth Official: Issa KAGABO
Match commissioner: Ambaw Yigzaw Bizuayehu (Ethopia)
Uganda Cranes fortress home Namboole is set to host double header as the senior and junior national teams are in action on the same day.
With two matches held in succession on the same program of the day, especially in football, this seems to be a new idea which has never happened before in Uganda’s football history mostly when CAF is directly involved.
Adding to a full calendar of events for it is first time Saturday becoming a day of operations as Uganda Cranes and Cubs play against Mauritania and Rwanda Junior wasps respectively on same day same pitch and that is Mandela national Stadium that will begin an exciting tradition of hosting high level football with blight lights double-header scheduled for Saturday July 19, 2014.
CRANES in action against Madagascar in a previous match.
Well stressing my medulla oblongata I remembered this is not the first of its kind that Namboole is carrying this load, it so happened during 2012 Council of East and African Football Association [Cecafa] championship when we hosted it and went on to be crowned champions. In this tournament we had doubleheaders with second games calling for floodlights after-all matches used to be played at night so as the targeted nightcap will be nationally televised on SS9E.
Fufa’s take about the move:
Definitely if such developments come underway the federation has to be credited for that. Matches of such high magnitude being held on the same day after CAF thumping-up for the idea then it shows the confidence the African football governing body has got in Fufa.
Uganda Vs Malawi in an international friendly game played earlier in the week. It ended goalless
Engaging the Federation competitions Manager Mr. Ali Mwebe about this, the gulu said he is happy with the move
“I know this is a good initiative we have embarked on and we have now opened up as we intend to get experience from this.” He narrated.
Ali continued to commend CAF for trusting them and give it a-go-a-head.
“We wrote to them about the idea and they easily bought it because presumably we have a good record whenever we have hosted international fixtures.”
“It’s new to us but as well I guess it’s the first of its kind to CAF too”
“Let’s give it a try and see but what I know we shall be successful in this.” He concluded.
Uganda’s football or sports in general is developing with CAF having trust in us! However, you would rather take a snail-walk than risking what you cannot manage here I mean marathon. Different sports associations in the Uganda are biting their finger nails to meet their respective operational budgets after the government has repeatedly failed to give support neither realize the importance of sports in the nation. If the government woke up one day and see what other countries compatriots do then this would be a good mileage for us too after all we have talents.
Farouq Miya is one of the emerging Uganda Cranes new talents.
Then what if our top national football league resorted to this? In my view it would be a good move having games being played late in the evening or even at night when workers are done with their day-to-day or routine strings; by the way we should remember our League is played on weekly days something I feel is hindering people in working class from enjoying this beautiful game.
In Uganda this supremely sounds impossible but this is what is needed if Super Sports gets back into our league.
We know we lack good facilities like football pitches which can host simultaneous matches fit to run on TV and now the onus is on us to see things happen.
Uganda Cubs team skipper, Andrew Isiagi (left) in training with Pius Obuya during Thursday’s training session at Namboole.
Uganda Cubs Coach Lule speaks out!
When asked about his minors playing in an early kick-off during lunch hours, Mathieu Lule said he is not shaken by the move.
“My work is to fine-tune the boys mentally, physically and then tell them to focus on the game.”
Ofcourse I will take them through different sessions in lunch hours so that they can acclimatize with the weather then we wait to see what Saturday brings for us”, Lule said.
Coach Matia Lule shouts instructions to the Cubs team in one of the training sessions at Namboole Stadium.
Addditional report by Joseph Mutaka (Cranes Media Attache – CHAN team)
