Summary:
- With the approval to host International Matches at Mandela National Stadium (Namboole), Uganda Cranes are now poised to welcome Botswana and Algeria for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June at Namboole.
NEWS: The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially granted the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) the green light to host International Matches at Mandela National Stadium (Namboole), marking a significant milestone for Ugandan football enthusiasts.
This exciting development comes on the heels of fruitful negotiations between FUFA and CAF, culminating in an agreement for Mandela Stadium to serve as the venue for Uganda Cranes’ World Cup qualifiers scheduled for June. The Cranes are poised to clash with Botswana and Algeria in match-day 3 and 4 respectively, igniting anticipation among fans eager to support their national team on home turf.
FUFA had eagerly awaited the opportunity to host these crucial fixtures domestically, as previous international engagements had been conducted away from home due to the absence of a suitable stadium. With the approval to host International Matches at Mandela National Stadium (Namboole), Uganda Cranes are now poised to welcome Botswana and Algeria for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in June at Namboole.
Typically, CAF conducts inspections two months before a match and communicates any necessary adjustments to member associations. A recent inspection report by CAF revealed certain deficiencies at Namboole, despite ongoing renovations over the past two years. These shortcomings included the relocation of the media tribunal, addressing unfinished ceiling work, upgrading floodlights, enhancing the VVIP section, and reducing seating capacity from 40,818 to 38,000 due to visibility concerns caused by structural posts.
In response to these findings, Col Peter Kidemuka, the project engineer, provided reassurance that most issues were already being addressed and would be resolved promptly. Notably, Kidemuka confirmed that floodlights, a key concern, had been ordered and were expected to arrive imminently. He pledged that the stadium would be fully prepared by May 25, well in advance of the Uganda Cranes’ fixtures.
The journey to secure a suitable venue for Uganda Cranes’ matches has not been without challenges. Previously, the team was compelled to host Tanzania at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Egypt after St. Mary’s Stadium Kitende, their home ground since 2021, failed to meet CAF requirements.
Similarly, in June 2023, Uganda Cranes once again found themselves hosting an African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying match against Algeria in Cameroon, following an inspection that deemed Mandela National Stadium unready to host the qualifiers.
Despite these hurdles, the approval to host International Matches at Mandela National Stadium (Namboole) signals a promising chapter for Ugandan football, underscoring the nation’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and competitive footballing culture on the continent.
