Museveni to Uganda Cranes: Don't lose to Tanzania 

AFCON 

President Yoweri Museveni has urged the Uganda national soccer team, The Cranes not to lose the remaining football match in a bid for Uganda to maintain an impeccable record in the 2017/ 2018 AFCON qualification. 

The national team on Saturday qualified for next year's finals with a match to spare, defeating Cape Verde by one goal to nil at Namboole Stadium in Wakiso district. 

That win took Uganda Cranes' point tally to 13 points — ahead of Cape Verde, 4; Lesotho, 5; and Tanzania with 5. That means Uganda will lead the group whether or not it loses the remaining match against Tanzania.

That naturally would result in the team relaxing and fielding an under-strength team, which the president is against.  

"Even if the Cranes have already qualified, I know that they still have a game to play against Tanzania. Please make sure you do not lose that game. Congratulations once again," he said in a tweet.

The president, who has actively supported the Uganda Cranes throughout this qualification campaign, also tipped the players on training, diet and positive habits.

‘‘From my footballing experience, I know that the following ingredients are important for the game; stamina, skill and teamwork," he said. ‘‘Stamina is critical because you do a lot of running. You must eat well, exercise and avoid alcohol, smoking and womanizing.'‘

Museveni also pledged to continue supporting the national and help them to keep raising the country's flag high. 

"With the government having made progress on roads, dams and other infrastructure, we shall soon start work on building and repair of stadia," he said.

He promised to tackle corruption in the sports sector which is impeding progress. 

Tanzania, which has never qualified for AFCON has a realistic chance of making it to the competition with a win against Uganda. However, a win for either Cape Verde or Lesotho would see them also qualify.

The finals will be held next year in Cameroon. 

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