By Robert Kayindi James
The Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) has once again found itself in a financial crisis at the beginning of another calendar year in football.
The local football governing recently revealed during the weekly press conference at the FUFA house in Mengo that they will need about Ugx 1.8 billion to finance the National team’s upcoming two engagements in the 2017 AFCON qualifiers.
It should be noted that within one and a half months from now, Uganda Cranes will be facing off with 2013 AFCON losing finalists, Burkina Faso for match day three in the 2017 qualifiers.
The two sides will meet in a two legged fixture within four days with the Cranes traveling to Burkina Faso for the first leg on 26th March before returning home for the return leg slated for 29th March.
With that in mind, the Cranes will require a chartered plane like the case was when they travelled to Lome, Togo for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in November, 2015 before returning to Kampala for the return leg with just four days.
At the time, it was the president of Uganda H.E Gen. Yoweri Museveni together with the government that came to the rescue of the national team.
Speaking to the media this week, FUFA boss Eng. Moses Magogo revealed that they have already outlined their needs to the government but are yet to get a response. They however remain hopeful that government will assist them.
Uganda currently lead the Group D log with 6 points after two wins in two matches while Burkina Faso and Botswana follow with both sides tied on 3 points as Comoros lag behind with no point.
