The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has cancelled plans to host South Sudan’s national football team in an international friendly early next month.
Mujib Kasule, the Vice President in charge of the league and chairman of the FA’s technical committee, told MTNFootball.com that they had initially accepted South Sudan’s request, but have changed their plans since the South Sudan FA did not make a follow-up.
South Sudan wanted to use the international friendly against the Cranes to prepare for their first leg 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) preliminary round qualifier against Eritrea that they will play on April 11th.
“It is unfortunate we shall not have that game now and we shall continue with our own plans,” said Kasule. South Sudan had two weeks ago written to the Uganda FA requesting the friendly match, but did not make a follow up with the arrangements.
South Sudan, who will be making their maiden appearance in AFCON qualifiers, will face Eritrea on April 11th in Asmara before the return leg is played in Khartoum instead of Juba.
South Sudan became an independent country in July 2011. Seven months later, February 2012, they were admitted into the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and three months after that became FIFA members.
They hosted Uganda Cranes in their first International friendly the same year and drew 2-2. But they have participated in two CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup competitions and struggled to impress.
Source: MTNFootball