TOUGHTIMES: Will The Cranes Fly Against Algeria, Tanzania and Niger To AFCON 2023

By OKELLO ALLAN

KAMPALA, Uganda[SHIFTEMEDIA NEWS] It may seem a walk over but placement of Uganda alongside Algeria, Niger and Tanzania in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations edition remains a hurdle.

The draws conducted last week place Uganda Cranes in Group F. .

The 2023 Nations Cup is set to be held in Ivory Coast in June and July next year.

This is the eighth time that Uganda features in the continental fixtures. The first being way back in 1962, 1968, 1974, 1976, 1978, 2017 and 2019.

The last time both Algeria and Tanzania were placed alongside Uganda in the same group, was during the 1996 South Africa qualification campaign.

 

Uganda begins the challenge against the desert nation Algeria in May. Games will be played at the St Mary’s Kitende Stadium since Namboole is being refurbished.

Forty eight countries have been split into 12 qualifying groups of four, with the top two in each group reaching the finals.

However, hosts Ivory Coast are guaranteed a spot at the tournament next year, so whichever of their opponents Zambia, Comoros and Lesotho finishes highest will qualify.

Qualifying is set to begin with two matches between 30 May and 14 June. Two more fixtures will follow in September, with the final two rounds in March next year.

 

Will history be repeated?

In the past encounters against Algeria, Uganda has had two wins, three draws and a loss in the six matches played against Algeria.

Uganda has in recent clashes with Niger registered two wins, countless losses and three draws.

As for Tanzania, that Uganda Cranes has met 10 record times, it has registered four wins, three draws and three losses.

Caution should therefore be carried on our backs that we are in for a tough challenge if Uganda is to return to the table of African heavyweights in Ivory Coast next year.