Sports
Cranes bring international football to Hoima for historic Libya clash
The match marks the first time Uganda will play a senior men’s international fixture outside Kampala after decades of hosting home matches at either Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium or Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Cranes bring international football to Hoima for historic Libya clash
By: Yekoyada Saaka, Journalist @New Vision
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Africa Cup of Nations
Pamoja 2027
Group H
Today, 7 pm
Uganda v Libya
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It is a historic day for Hoima City, the Bunyoro-Kitara region and Ugandan football as the Uganda Cranes host Libya’s Mediterranean Knights in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Pamoja Group H qualifier under the floodlights at Hoima City Stadium tonight.
The match marks the first time Uganda will play a senior men’s international fixture outside Kampala after decades of hosting home matches at either Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium or Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
It is also the biggest football match yet to be staged at Hoima City Stadium and its first international fixture under floodlights.
Although Uganda have already qualified for the 2027 AFCON finals as co-hosts, coach Paul Put wants his players to build on their encouraging 1-1 draw against Tunisia in Tunis last week on Thursday.
Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put
“What I saw against Tunisia is exactly what I want to see and more against Libya,” Put said.
“We need to get a good result against Libya because if we do not, the excellent performance we displayed against Tunisia will be forgotten.”
The Belgian tactician has about 37 players to choose from as he continues to assess his options ahead of the finals.
The squad pool includes nine naturalised players, among them Kelvin Owusu Boateng, Arnold Vula, Souleyman Diaby, Dieudonne Gaucho Debohi, Kingdom Osayi, Akpan David Udoh and Abdoulaye Sissako, giving Put more options as he shapes his team.
For Libya, tonight’s match is crucial to their qualification hopes. The Mediterranean Knights were held to a 2-2 draw by Botswana in their opening match in Tripoli and need maximum points against an already-qualified Uganda to keep their campaign alive.
In the other Group H match, Botswana host Tunisia, with both teams searching for their first victories.
Tunisia drew 1-1 with Uganda in Tunis, while Botswana shared the points with Libya.
With Uganda already through as co-hosts, Libya, Tunisia and Botswana are competing for the remaining qualification place.
For the Bunyoro-Kitara sub-region, however, the occasion goes beyond the result.
It is a proud moment for the region to welcome the national team for the first time and showcase Hoima’s readiness to host major international football as Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania prepare to co-host the 2027 AFCON finals.
For Libya, tonight’s match is crucial to their qualification hopes. The Mediterranean Knights were held to a 2-2 draw by Botswana in their opening match in Tripoli and need maximum points against an already-qualified Uganda to keep their campaign alive.
In the other Group H match, Botswana host Tunisia, with both teams searching for their first victories.
Tunisia drew 1-1 with Uganda in Tunis, while Botswana shared the points with Libya.
With Uganda already through as co-hosts, Libya, Tunisia and Botswana are competing for the remaining qualification place.
For the Bunyoro-Kitara sub-region, however, the occasion goes beyond the result.
It is a proud moment for the region to welcome the national team for the first time and showcase Hoima’s readiness to host major international football as Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania prepare to co-host the 2027 AFCON finals.