Uganda Cranes fielded shortest players at AFCON 2017

The Uganda Cranes team

The Cranes need a boost in height and weight if they are to compete favourably at the Africa Cup of Nations.

A scientific study carried out by Africa's soccer governing body CAF has revealed that Uganda not only fielded the shortest but also lightest team in Gabon.

Uganda can however get motivation from the fact that it fielded the youngest team. This signals a bright future.

This is all part of Confederation of African Football's Pre Competition Medical Assessment (PCMA).

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) carries out this exercise before each of its competitions.

Uganda at an average height of 176.11 centimeters had the shortest team together with Guinea Bissau at 176cm.

Mali, Algeria and Tunisia at 184.26cm, 184.04cm and 184cm respectively had the tallest players.

The average height at Afcon 2017 was 180.63cm compared to the 2015 tournament at 181cm and 177cm at CHAN 2016.

The Cranes who averaged 74.83 kilograms, also had the lightest team. Mali were the heaviest at 81.64kgs.

The average weight of players at Afcon 2017 was 78kgs compared to 77kgs at the previous tournament. CHAN 2016 had a 73kg average.

Uganda and eventual champions Cameroon had the youngest teams according to the study.

The two countries' average was put at 24 years. Togo had the oldest team at 27 years.

The average age of players in the Gabon tournament was 25.2 years compared to 26 for Afcon 2015 and 24 for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2016.

Injury statistics show a decrease in the number of cases. While in 2015 a total number of 89 injuries were registered this year there were 65.

What was however noted this year was the degree of severity based on the number of days of absence.

In total 439 days will be required for the 65 injuries of which 22(more than 34%) of the injuries will require more than three days of absence per injury.

In 2015 the 89 injuries required 162 days for recovery.