Arnold Vula header seals Uganda Cranes' first win at Hoima City Stadium

Arnold Vula marked his Uganda Cranes debut with a decisive stoppage-time header in the first half as Uganda defeated Libya 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations Pamoja 2027 Group H qualifier at Hoima City Stadium on Tuesday night.

The victory was historic for the Cranes, who played their first match at the newly built Hoima City Stadium and hosted a senior men’s international fixture outside the Kampala-Wakiso metropolitan area for the first time.

Vula rose highest to head home Allan Okello’s free-kick in first-half stoppage time, giving Uganda a valuable lead in front of an enthusiastic home crowd and providing a memorable moment for the Bunyoro-Kitara region.

Okello delivered a dangerous free-kick from the left, which Vula met with a powerful header beyond Libyan goalkeeper Ayman Altihar.

Botswana and Tunisia sit level on two points each after playing out draws in their opening fixtures, while Libya remain bottom with just one point.

The Cranes will now turn their attention to the next stage of the campaign, buoyed by a historic win in front of their passionate home supporters.

Vula was the only change to the starting team that earned a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in Tunis, and he repaid coach Paul Put’s faith with the match-winning contribution.

Uganda came close in the 18th minute when Rogers Mato threatened the Libyan defence, while goalkeeper Denis Onyango produced an important save five minutes later to deny Ezzeddine Elmaremi, who had found himself in a one-on-one situation.

Mato later fired wide in the 39th minute as Uganda searched for a breakthrough.

Coach Put introduced Kelvin Owusu Boateng for Vula in the 58th minute, handing the forward his Cranes debut as Uganda sought to maintain their advantage.

Libya came close to equalising in the 75th minute when a cross from Fadel Hamad Slamah evaded the Ugandan defence and found Elmaremi in front of an almost empty goal.

However, the midfielder lifted his effort over the crossbar, wasting a golden opportunity.

Uganda responded by bringing on Denis Omedi for Okello in the 76th minute as Put sought fresh energy in attack.

The Cranes were forced to defend resolutely in the closing stages, with Kenneth Semakula making an important block in the 72nd minute to prevent a dangerous delivery from El Houni from reaching several Libyan players inside the penalty area.

Libya mounted a series of attacks deep into stoppage time, including consecutive corner-kicks, but Uganda held firm to secure the win.

The result takes Uganda to four points from two matches following their opening draw against Tunisia.

Libya, meanwhile, remain on one point after drawing 2-2 with Botswana in Tripoli in their opening fixture.

Group H comprises Uganda, Libya, Botswana and Tunisia.

Uganda are already assured of a place at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations as co-hosts, leaving the remaining three nations to compete for the group’s other qualification place.

Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania will co-host the tournament from June 19 to July 17, 2027.
  

For Uganda, Tuesday’s match was about more than the result. Hoima City Stadium is among the country’s designated host venues, and the fixture offered an important opportunity to assess the facility and Hoima City’s capacity to host major international football events away from the Kampala.