Fufa Engages Caf Over Namboole Stadium for World Cup Qualifiers
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) is currently in discussions with the Confederation of African Football (Caf) regarding the possibility of utilizing Mandela Stadium to host Uganda Cranes’ World Cup qualifiers in June. These crucial matches, against Botswana and Algeria, are pivotal for the national team, and Fufa is keen on securing a home advantage for them. Previous international engagements had to be held away due to the absence of a suitable venue.
A recent inspection by Caf revealed that Namboole Stadium, which has been undergoing renovations for the past two years, still does not meet the required standards for hosting international games. The inspection report highlighted various deficiencies, including incomplete construction work, issues with floodlights, and seating capacity adjustments.
In response to these concerns, Col Peter Kidemuka, the project engineer, assured that the majority of the issues were being addressed and would be resolved soon. He emphasized that the floodlights, a critical aspect, have been ordered and are expected to arrive shortly. Kidemuka pledged that the stadium would be ready well before the deadline set for the Uganda Cranes’ fixtures in May.
However, even if Namboole Stadium meets the deadline, approval from Caf is not guaranteed. Typically, Caf conducts inspections two months before a match and notifies member associations accordingly. Decolus Kiiza, Fufa’s deputy CEO in charge of football, expressed optimism but refrained from confirming Namboole as the venue. He mentioned ongoing negotiations with Caf regarding the project’s timeline and potential solutions to address the remaining issues.
If Namboole Stadium fails to meet the deadline or secure Caf’s approval, Fufa is considering alternative options, including relocating Uganda Cranes’ matches to Tanzania or Egypt. This scenario would mark the third instance in less than two years that Uganda has had to host home matches away from home, highlighting the challenges faced in securing suitable venues for international fixtures.
The readiness of Uganda and its neighboring countries to host major tournaments, such as the 2027 African Cup of Nations, has also come into question. While Tanzania currently possesses a Caf-approved stadium, concerns remain about the infrastructure preparedness of other East African nations involved in the bid.
Fufa president Moses Magogo emphasized that Caf evaluates countries based on their commitment to meeting tournament requirements before the scheduled dates. In response, Uganda and its neighboring countries have undertaken efforts to either renovate existing stadiums or construct new ones to meet Caf standards.
However, concerns persist regarding the feasibility of constructing new stadiums within record time, given the delays in renovating Namboole Stadium. Minister Ogwang attributed these delays to funding challenges and expressed confidence in the ability of international firms to construct the proposed stadiums within the required timeframe.
According to Magogo, as negotiations and preparations continue, Fufa remains committed to securing a suitable venue for Uganda Cranes’ matches and ensuring the successful hosting of international tournaments in the region.
