Uganda Cranes To Host World Cup Qualifiers Matches At St.Mary’s Stadium
May 4, 2021
Dr Lawrence Muilndwa at St.Mary's Stadium - Kitende
Uganda Cranes will host the 2022 World Cup qualifier matches at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende after Confederation of African Football (CAF) approved the stadium.
The revelation ends looming speculations of that Uganda Cranes’ games were to be hosted in neighbouring countries.
Sports Minister Hamson Obua had hinted at Uganda seeking to host games either in Tanzania or Kenya.
Earlier inspection by FIFA had indicated that St. Mary’s Stadium had no floodlights and no proper roads to the stadium and had urged to be worked upon but this has been ditched, allowing Uganda Cranes to host their home games at home.
“Waking up to the news that St Mary’s Stadium has been approved by CAF to host World Cup Games. This is a wonderful achievement. It was going to be an embarrassment to the Nation for Cranes to host games away. Government can now help work on the access road to the stadia,” the head of communications at Vipers, Abdu Wasike said.
St.Mary’s Kitende also hosted two of Uganda Cranes’ Afcon 2021 qualifier games.
FIFA in March 2020 barred Namboole from hosting the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers after inspection of the facility.
They cited that the toilet facilities, the playing ground, the pavilion and the dressing rooms all were substandard.
The Sports Minister, Hamson Obua said that they need about 96 billion shillings to renovate Namboole stadium.
Uganda is in group E for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers alongside neighbours Kenya and Rwanda, and West African giant Mali.
Uganda will host their first game (Mali) between 11th and 14th, June after opening their campaign away to Kenya on 5th -8th June, 2021.
The Cranes will then have back to back games against The Amavubi of Rwanda with the first leg in Kigali (1st -4th September) and the return match in three days at Kitende.
The final two games will be Kenya (home) and Mali (away) in October.
Lee Ray is a qualified journalist dedicated to inform and update you with News, Gossip, Entertainment, Showbiz and Music!