Saturday 13 February 2016

Cranes seek chartered plane for next AFCON assignment



Burkina Faso v Uganda March 26
Uganda vs Burkina Faso  March 29

Group D
Team P W D L GF GA GD Pts
Uganda 2 2 0 0 3 0 3 6
Burkina Faso 2 1 0 1 2 1 1 3
Botswana         2 1 0 1 1 2 -1 3
Comoros         2 0 0 2 0 3 -3 0

With Cranes playing two crucial African Cup of National qualifiers in three days next month, FUFA is on its knees pleading to government for a chartered flight to boost their chances of getting maximum points.

“We are making a call to the public to understand our position but also requesting Government to fund the National team,” said FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo at a press briefing mid this week.

Uganda, who are top of Group D, fly to Burkina Faso for a game March 26, and are expected back home for the return match on March 29 under floodlights at Namboole.

“Our team will prepare under harsh conditions, especially in regard to flights, if Government does not come in with support like they did against Togo’ said Magogo.



Cranes top, will need a chartered plane to stand a chance
 in their next two games. Magogo (centre), 
Micho (right) and PRO Ahmed Hussein 
address the press. 

Magogo added that ‘In the past two years, Government’s support towards Uganda Cranes has been immense and results were evident. We received support from Government for the games against Comoros, Mauritania and Guinea Bissau and the players picked up good results.’

According to www.fufa.co.ug, Magogo said the ideal situation would be a charter a plane to Ouagadougou so as to fly back soon after the game for early preparations of the return game to be played on 29th March under floodlights at Mandela National stadium, Namboole.
“We are struggling logistically but we shall do whatever we can within our means to put up a fight when these two games come up in March. We are in a very difficult situation financially.” 

The FUFA Finance Director Decolas Kiiza  revealed that the team requires at least $530,000 (SH1.8 billion) to prepare for the two games. Kiiza noted that ‘We have approached Government but we are yet to get response from them. Only Government can bail us out of this financial position we are in right now to get the best results from Uganda Cranes’.


Miya (right), currently seeking a professional deal
 in Europe, is expected 
to lead Uganda in both matches

Magogo was flanked by Uganda Cranes coach Micho Milutin Sredojevic.  Micho said other than worries about travel, he was ready to battle.
“The CHAN finals in Rwanda contributed to our preparations for the game against Burkina Faso. A third of the 23 players who featured for Uganda Cranes in the three group stage matches are now ready to feature for the senior team.” 

Micho asked for support from all stake holder especially the federation and coaches of the national team players to play their roles so as to get the best results from the upcoming games.

He added ‘An international friendly is being lined up to prepare the players in terms of their sharpness, competitiveness and match fitness.
‘We will not field names. Only eligible players ready to respond to the cries of many Ugandans for the last 39 years will feature against Burkina Faso encounters’ vowed Micho.

The Serbian also added that the AFCON 2017 qualifiers will put his players in the right momentum for the start of the group stage matches of the 2018 FUFA world Cup Russia Qualifiers when the draws are finally conducted in June.



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