The clock is ticking down to the day that might turn historic if Uganda Cranes pick a point in the crucial Afcon qualifier against Cape Verde on Saturday, November 17 at Namboole Stadium.
Since the start of residential training on Monday this week, the Cranes have been undergoing intensive preparations and according to head coach Sebastien Desabre, the team is ready to complete the task and accomplish the first back-to-back Afcon qualification since the 1970s.
“The players are in good shape and we hope for a good display against Cape Verde which also needs the game. I am hopeful the boys will fight hard and we [will] go back to Afcon,” said Desabre.
Uganda won the first leg (1-0) away in Praia thanks to Geoffrey Serunkuma’s goal.However, both sides had previously met on two occasions in the 2006 Fifa World Cup qualifiers where each side won 1-0 on theirhome turf. As it stands in Group L, Uganda Cranes leads with 10 points and will only need a point to qualify for the 2019 Afcon finalsto be hosted by Cameroon.
Second-placed Tanzania have five points and play away to Lesotho on Sunday, where they could secure qualification with a win in Maseru should the Cranes beat Cape Verde at Namboole. Cape Verde are third in Group L withfour points while Lesotho are bottom of the log with only two points.
Saturday, November 17
Uganda Cranes vs Cape Verde, Namboole
(4pm)