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For Uganda, any conversation around qualification starts with maximum points against Niger and then hope for a favourable result in the match between Tanzania and Algeria.
Midfielder Ibrahim Kasule is without doubt the hottest Ugandan player in any corner of the world at the moment.
His form and current burst of confidence which have helped him join a small list of Ugandans to player in USA’s Majour League Soccer ably gives him a good enough chance to finally make his senior national debut.
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The Uganda Cranes will play Niger in what is a do-or-die 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco on Thursday.
As Kasule dreams about what sort of impact the game will have on the history of Ugandan football, he feels the Cranes have the talent, ability and self-belief to beat the odds and qualify for the finals.
The midfielder who plays for New York RedBulls is the latest arrival in the Cranes camp in Marrakech, and is already eager to contribute to Uganda's qualification campaign.
"I am happy to finally be part of the team, and the mood already is great within camp,” Kasule said after taking part in his first training session on Tuesday evening.
"Personally, I am happy to join the team, and really happy to get the opportunity to represent my nation, especially as we strive to qualify for the AFCON," Kasule added.
"Honestly, I am confident we shall qualify for the AFCON, I can feel it beckoning us, and God willing, we shall be on the plane to Ivory Coast come January 2024."
“Everyone is ready, all the players are prepared and we promise to give our all in the qualifier against Niger,” he explained.
Qualification for Uganda is not entirely within their control, and the Cranes led by Serbian Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, understand the importance of securing a victory in this fixture.
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The clash against Niger is a must-win for Uganda, who have only managed one victory in the campaign so far.
Both Uganda and Tanzania are still in contention to join Algeria, who have won all their five games to amass 15 points and top Group F and secure their spot in the finals.
Uganda’s opponents, Niger, is the only eliminated side with no chance of qualification, regardless of what result they post in their last game.
But for Uganda, any conversation around qualification starts with maximum points against Niger and then hope for a favourable result in the match between Tanzania and Algeria.
Tanzania, on the other hand, only needs one point to progress to the finals. If they avoid defeat against Algeria, it will be at the expense of Uganda's qualification hopes.
Uganda last appeared at the AFCON in 2019, and the team is eager to make a return.
A recent victory against Tanzania kept their qualification hopes alive, but now they face the daunting task of securing another win and relying on other results to secure their place in the prestigious tournament.
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