Kampala, Uganda: Uganda Cranes’ international friendly match against Zanzibar has been called off after the Zanzibar Football Federation (ZFF) cited government health precautionary measures linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Uganda.
The fixture, which was scheduled for Thursday, June 11, had been arranged as part of celebrations marking 100 years of the Zanzibar Football Federation and was due to be played at the New Amaan Complex Stadium in Zanzibar.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) confirmed on Tuesday that it had received official communication from ZFF notifying them of the cancellation.
In a message sent to FUFA, the Zanzibar federation expressed regret over the development, describing the decision as one beyond their control.
“The decision was beyond our control. We value our friendship and remain committed to rescheduling the match soon,” ZFF stated.
The cancellation comes amid heightened regional health concerns following the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Uganda, which has prompted several countries and institutions to implement precautionary measures aimed at limiting potential transmission.
Third Friendly Cancelled in a Week
The latest development means Uganda Cranes have now lost three international friendly matches within a span of one week due to Ebola-related concerns.
Last week, the national team travelled to Morocco for a training camp where they had been scheduled to face Tanzania and Mauritania in preparatory matches during the June FIFA international window.
However, Moroccan authorities called off both fixtures after concerns emerged regarding Uganda’s Ebola situation.
The cancellations forced FUFA to quickly explore alternative arrangements, leading to the organization of the Zanzibar match as a replacement fixture.
That effort has now also fallen through.
The development leaves head coach Paul Put without an opportunity to assess his squad during the June international break.
Setback for Paul Put
Coach Put had summoned a squad of 22 players composed largely of locally based footballers from the Uganda Premier League.
The technical team had hoped to use the fixture to evaluate emerging talent and maintain momentum ahead of future assignments.
Players had already begun preparations, holding training sessions at MTN Omondi Stadium, Lugogo, on Monday and Tuesday before receiving news of the cancellation.
The match would have provided valuable international exposure for several players seeking to cement their places in the national team setup.
With no alternative fixture immediately available, the squad is now expected to be released back to their respective clubs.
Cranes’ Long Wait Continues
The cancellation further extends Uganda Cranes’ wait for competitive action.
The national team has not played an international match since December 2025, when Uganda participated in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament hosted in Morocco.
Since then, preparations for upcoming competitions have largely relied on training camps and domestic player monitoring.
The absence of international fixtures presents a challenge for the coaching staff as they continue building a competitive squad ahead of future CAF and FIFA assignments.
Ebola Outbreak Continues to Affect Sports
The cancellation highlights the wider impact the Ebola outbreak continues to have beyond the health sector.
Sporting activities, travel arrangements and international engagements involving Uganda have increasingly come under scrutiny as countries adopt preventive measures.
While Ugandan health authorities continue to manage the outbreak through surveillance, contact tracing and public health interventions, the ripple effects are now being felt across multiple sectors, including football.
For FUFA and the Uganda Cranes, the focus now shifts to finding alternative opportunities to keep the national team active as preparations continue for upcoming international competitions.
Whether another replacement fixture can be arranged remains unclear, but for now, Uganda’s June international window has effectively been wiped out.
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