Ugandans based in Egypt cry out to FUFA ahead of the Tanzania Qualifier

The Cranes lining up before a home game. (courtesy)

AFCONQ Ugandans based in Egypt cry out to FUFA ahead of the Tanzania Qualifier

Peter Tabu 18:10 - 20.03.2023

The Cranes will host Tanzania on March 24th at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Egypt before flying to Dar-es-Salaam for the second qualifier on 28th March.

The Uganda Cranes, for a long time in Uganda’s football history if not the first are set to host an AFCON qualifier away from home due to the lack of an available CAF-certified stadium in the country.

The Cranes will host Tanzania on March 24th at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Egypt before flying to Dar-es-Salaam for the second qualifier on 28th March.

According to Mugerwa Farooq, a Ugandan based in Egypt who runs a registered tour and travel agency in Greatways, the Federation of Uganda Football Associations should avail buses to ferry Ugandans to go and support the national team on match day.

“To be honest, this is something FUFA should take seriously. We have a sizable number of Ugandans in Cairo who, if well mobilized, can go and support the Cranes,” Mugerwa told Pulse Sports.

“All we need is transport (buses) to the stadium, and we have over 700 Ugandans who can make it because here in Egypt, foreigners access matches free of charge.”

Mugerwa also cautioned that Cranes’ opponents on the day in Tanzania have prepared to ferry fans in numbers to support the Taifa Stars.

“I am aware that the Tanzanian federation, through their embassy, has organized to transport fans, especially students from one of the leading Islamic universities here; I hope we’re not outnumbered.”

The cost of hiring a bus (50-seater) from Cairo to Ismailia to and from is about 300$. Mugerwa says that only those able to part with a bus fare of 200 Egyptian pounds, approximately Ugx 30,000, will make the one-hour trip on match day.

“We have mobilized the few that can pay for their transport to go and support the team but imagine if everyone went.”

“They (players) need this, and it’s a crucial match in the campaign for us (Uganda),” he noted.

AFCON Qualifier fixture.

Uganda Vs Tanzania

Friday 24th March 2023.

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