Uganda don’t require points to qualify for AFCON 2027 since being co-hosts alongside Kenya and Tanzania, Uganda automatically have qualified. Nonetheless, the Ugandan team tops Group H, and the upcoming matches slated for next month aren’t just friendly games.
Uganda play against Botswana away from home in the Hoima City Stadium on 14 November, then the reverse fixture is set for 17 November. Fans will follow the action on TV, radio and their phones, from local sports pages to apps such as https://afropari.ng/en/mobile that carry live scores. Here is what the double-header means for a team building towards a home tournament.
A Group With an Unusual Shape
The Cranes will play in Group H along with Tunisia, Libya, and Botswana. In regular groups, the top two teams qualify. However, in host groups, the only team that qualifies is the highest-ranked team in the group.
This implies that Tunisia, Libya, and Botswana are competing for one slot. The performance of Uganda will affect the race, since they earn points against other teams and alter the table. According to the Daily Monitor, the Cranes come into this campaign knowing their mission: to prepare, not qualify.
A Strong Start Under Paul Put
A positive beginning for The Cranes. They won 1-0 against Libya and even managed to get a draw 1-1 away in Tunisia, giving them four points at the top of group H, reports Swift Sports Uganda.
Tunisia is not an easy place to get points. That proves that they can play organized football on the road even when facing a team accustomed to AFCON competition. A win against Libya proves that they can be proactive in their own backyard.
The Squad for November
Paul Put named his squad in late October. The list reported by Africa Soccer mixes established internationals and players who are pushing for regular minutes.
| Position | Selected players | Clubs |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Denis Onyango, Kingdom Osayi | Mamelodi Sundowns, Assyriska FF |
| Defenders | Toby Sibbick, Aziizi Kayondo | Burton Albion, Slovan Liberec |
| Midfielders | Khalid Aucho, Allan Oyirwoth, Abdoulaye Sissako | Sidama Bunna, Dunfermline, St. Truidense |
| Forwards | Allan Okello, James Bogere, Travis Mutyaba, Kelvin Boateng | AS FAR Rabat, AGF, CS Sfaxien, Austria Wien |
Experience is sourced by Denis Onyango and Khalid Aucho. Pace and energy will be brought to the team by forwards such as Allan Okello and Travis Mutyaba, who have joined clubs in North Africa. The backline will consist of Toby Sibbick and Aziizi Kayondo, who have experience in English and Czech football, respectively.
Why Botswana Still Matters
There are three reasons these games are important, even without qualification at stake:
- Match practice: the Cranes need competitive games to prepare for a home tournament in June and July 2027.
- Squad decisions: every match helps Put decide who wins a place in the final AFCON squad.
- Home atmosphere: playing at Hoima City Stadium gives the team and fans a test run for big nights ahead.
Botswana, on the other hand, have everything to play for as they are battling it out for the only qualifying spot.
The reverse fixture that takes place on 17 November poses a whole new challenge. The travelling, unfamiliar ground and home support for Botswana are the very things a host team doesn’t have to worry about in their own tournament. This gives them something of a dress rehearsal in itself.
Hoima Under the Lights
Match number one will take place in the stadium of Hoima City in floodlights. In football in Uganda, every match at a modern home stadium is also an opportunity to demonstrate preparedness for the greatest continental tournament.
AFCON 2027 will take place from 19th June to 17th July 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Big attendance and efficient organisation in qualification matches serve as an unambiguous message about the upcoming tournament.
What to Watch
When the Cranes play against Botswana, here is what to look out for:
- Whether Put continues with the same core which scored four points in the first two matches.
- How the forwards from North Africa link up up front.
- The size of the crowd at Hoima, which will be indicative of the mood ahead of AFCON.
- If the defense manages to maintain a clean sheet in the away match, something which has been a challenge.
The Cranes are heading to their home tournament anyway. It will all depend on whether they have prepared well enough.
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