Ezra pays for Cranes trip
TYCOON Michael Ezra has rescued Uganda’s African Nations Cup campaign with a timely boost of 22 return air tickets worth sh60m.
By Fred Kaweesi
Nations Cup qualifier
Sunday
Niger v Uganda
Lesotho v Nigeria
TYCOON Michael Ezra has rescued Uganda’s African Nations Cup campaign with a timely boost of 22 return air tickets worth sh60m.
“I am sending the team to Niger. I have secured tickets worth sh60m from Kenya Airways to enable Cranes travel,†Ezra (inset) said yesterday.
Soccer governing body FUFA and National Council of Sports (NCS) had failed to raise funds to transport the national team to Niger.
Sports state minister Charles Bakkabulindi late yesterday claimed government had secured sh100m for the trip, but FUFA denied any knowledge.
A relieved FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa confirmed that they had received an offer from the tycoon. “He talked to me and he told me he would be through with the payments by 1.30pm,†Mulindwa said.
Kenya Airways had given FUFA a Monday morning deadline to complete payments or be ditched from the plane’s travel schedule.
FUFA had been expected to settle its travel payments by Friday last week.
“The team has managed to secure the tickets through Ezra and will definitely leave tomorrow (today,†Kenya Airways sales executive Farida Wamala said.
Ezra has previously funded boxing, athletics and the Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA).
r Striker Anthony Bongole was a surprise exclusion from Laszlo Csaba’s attack-minded squad that departs for Niger at 9.00am today.
The KCC FC aggressive forward and Richard Malinga were two prominent figures dropped from a side seeking maximum points in Niamey.
The return of US-based striker Robert Ssejjemba meant Bongole, a second half substitute in Cranes 3-0 win over Lesotho, would be a luxury in a team that already boosts of five outfield players.
“The team I have chosen is good enough to win the Niger game. They are fit. The spirits are high,†head coach Csaba said.
Kaizer Chiefs winger David Obua and Nestroy Kizito managed to join the side late yesterday.
Meanwhile, telecommunication giants MTN yesterday handed over kit worth sh21m to the Cranes team.
MTN public relations officer Tina Byaruhanga stressed that the package that included a set of training, playing and casual kit was just the beginning of a long-term partnership. “We intend to offer kit before every game,†Byaruhanga said.
The team:
D.Onyango, H.Muwonge, S.Masaba, A.Mwesigwa, N.Kizito, T.Batabaire, H.Wasswa, A.Kadogo, D.Obua, J.Bagoole, N.Kasule, G.Massa, H.Mubiru, G.Sserunkuuma, V.Kayizzi, D.Wagaluka, R.Segawa.
Group 3 standings
P W D L F A Pts
Uganda 1 1 0 0 3 0 3
Nigeria 1 1 0 0 2 0 3
Niger 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
Lesotho 1 0 0 1 0 3 0
Nations Cup qualifier
Sunday
Niger v Uganda
Lesotho v Nigeria
TYCOON Michael Ezra has rescued Uganda’s African Nations Cup campaign with a timely boost of 22 return air tickets worth sh60m.
“I am sending the team to Niger. I have secured tickets worth sh60m from Kenya Airways to enable Cranes travel,†Ezra (inset) said yesterday.
Soccer governing body FUFA and National Council of Sports (NCS) had failed to raise funds to transport the national team to Niger.
Sports state minister Charles Bakkabulindi late yesterday claimed government had secured sh100m for the trip, but FUFA denied any knowledge.
A relieved FUFA president Lawrence Mulindwa confirmed that they had received an offer from the tycoon. “He talked to me and he told me he would be through with the payments by 1.30pm,†Mulindwa said.
Kenya Airways had given FUFA a Monday morning deadline to complete payments or be ditched from the plane’s travel schedule.
FUFA had been expected to settle its travel payments by Friday last week.
“The team has managed to secure the tickets through Ezra and will definitely leave tomorrow (today,†Kenya Airways sales executive Farida Wamala said.
Ezra has previously funded boxing, athletics and the Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA).
r Striker Anthony Bongole was a surprise exclusion from Laszlo Csaba’s attack-minded squad that departs for Niger at 9.00am today.
The KCC FC aggressive forward and Richard Malinga were two prominent figures dropped from a side seeking maximum points in Niamey.
The return of US-based striker Robert Ssejjemba meant Bongole, a second half substitute in Cranes 3-0 win over Lesotho, would be a luxury in a team that already boosts of five outfield players.
“The team I have chosen is good enough to win the Niger game. They are fit. The spirits are high,†head coach Csaba said.
Kaizer Chiefs winger David Obua and Nestroy Kizito managed to join the side late yesterday.
Meanwhile, telecommunication giants MTN yesterday handed over kit worth sh21m to the Cranes team.
MTN public relations officer Tina Byaruhanga stressed that the package that included a set of training, playing and casual kit was just the beginning of a long-term partnership. “We intend to offer kit before every game,†Byaruhanga said.
The team:
D.Onyango, H.Muwonge, S.Masaba, A.Mwesigwa, N.Kizito, T.Batabaire, H.Wasswa, A.Kadogo, D.Obua, J.Bagoole, N.Kasule, G.Massa, H.Mubiru, G.Sserunkuuma, V.Kayizzi, D.Wagaluka, R.Segawa.
Group 3 standings
P W D L F A Pts
Uganda 1 1 0 0 3 0 3
Nigeria 1 1 0 0 2 0 3
Niger 1 0 0 1 0 2 0
Lesotho 1 0 0 1 0 3 0