What must happen for Uganda Cranes to qualify for AFCON

Uganda Cranes must win against Niger and hope Tanzania loses to Algeria to qualify for AFCON /FUFA image

FOOTBALL What must happen for Uganda Cranes to qualify for AFCON

Ndyamuhaki J Emanzi 11:53 - 06.09.2023

Rogers Mato’s winner against Tanzania in Dar es Salam kept Uganda’s qualification hopes alive, but the job must now be done with another victory and prayers.

A qualification campaign is incomplete without mathematics for the Uganda Cranes.

And the team finds itself in the same situation where qualification is not entirely within their control.

The Cranes will go up against Niger on Thursday night, hoping to not only win their game but also go on to qualify for the finals.

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.

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.

Having won just one match in the campaign, Milutin Sredojevic’s charges must find another victory to stand a chance.

With the three points, the Cranes will then hope Tanzania loses to Algeria in Algiers.

Tanzania need just one point to progress to the finals and will qualify at the expense of Uganda if they avoid defeat against the Desert Foxes.

Algeria have been unplayable for the rest of the field in Group F but has nothing to fight for in their last match.

Should Tanzania halt the Foxes’ winning run, Uganda will be out and have to sit out yet another continental showpiece, having last appeared at the 2019 edition in Cairo, Egypt.

Rogers Mato’s winner against Tanzania in Dar es Salam kept Uganda’s qualification hopes alive, but the job must now be done with another victory and prayers.