Uganda Cranes Fail To Qualify For 2023 AFCON Despite Getting All Points Needed

Posted by: Eninu William in International football September 8, 2023

Despite getting the much needed minimum points in the last qualifying game for the 2023 AFCON tournament, the Uganda Cranes failed to qualify for the final edition.

The Cranes came into this game needing 3 points. However, as has always been the case, other factors did not play in there favor.

Entering into the final game, Algeria led Group F with 15 points having won all their 5 games. Uganda’s East African neighbors Tanzania lay in second with 7 points. Uganda and Niger were in third and fourth positions on 4 and 2 points respectively.

All that Micho’s side wanted was 3 points with the hope that Algeria would beat Tanzania. Two first half strikes from Azizi Kayondo in the 19th minute and Joseph Ochaya in the 39th minute were enough to hand Micho all the three points. This took Uganda to 7 points.

However, things didn’t play out in their favor as Algeria couldn’t get past Tanzania.

The Desert Warriors having qualified for the final tournament didn’t perhaps treat this fame with the utmost importance.

In the end, the Taifa Stars got the much needed point to secure qualification to the final tournament. This will be hosted by Ivory Coast early next year.

This is the second straight tournament that Uganda Cranes are missing out on. The nation qualified for back to back tournaments in 2017 and 2019.

However they missed out on the 2021 AFCON and now this one. Meanwhile a lot of factors could be attributed to the team’s lackluster performances especially in the first games.

Some of these included the lack of a home stadium. The team has had to travel as far as Morocco, Egypt and Cameroon for their home matches. With Namboole Stadium having been a slaughter zone for opponents, the lack of home fans could have had an impact.

The Cranes will now turn their attention to qualifying for the World Cup. They return to action in November against Guinea.

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