How much Uganda Cranes players will pocket for beating Niger

The Uganda Cranes must defeat Niger in their last Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers match on Thursday to stand any chance of returning to the continental showpiece.

But even victory could be insufficient now that the job is not entirely in Uganda’s hands. They must then pray that Tanzania loses to Group F leaders Algeria to sneak into AFCON.

Big matches usually come with big bonuses for the players, and Thursday’s clash with Niger is one of the biggest matches the Cranes will be involved in.

Whether that will mean more cash for the players and officials involved remains to be seen.

At the start of the qualifiers, FUFA confirmed improved financial benefits for the Uganda Cranes.

The revised figures were to cater for the match day allowances and bonuses for each team member, including players and officials.

According to FUFA, match day allowances increased from $500 (UGX. 1,867,965) to $750 (UGX. 2,801,947) per head.

For the team, an away winning bonus against Algeria was put at $ 5,000 (UGX. 18,679,650), up from $1,000 (UGX. 3,735,930), but the Cranes lost 2-0 to miss out on the cash.

“These are our new structures, and we believe in motivating the entire team whenever on National team duty," FUFA President Moses Magogo revealed to the team in June last year. 

"We have improved on the remuneration and let the boys go and deliver for the country and fans. I am sure they will continue representing the Country with a lot of pride when they pull on the Uganda Cranes jersey,” Magogo added.

The President, however, added that: “The latest figures cater for the two matches against Algeria and Niger.”

The first round clash against Niger had players fighting to take home $3,000 (UGX. 11,207,790), but the Cranes could only manage a 1-1 draw at St. Mary’s Kitende.

If the away win amount of $5,000 is maintained, the Cranes players and officials could hit two birds with one stone by qualifying for AFCON and smiling to the bank. Uganda last featured at AFCON in 2019.