The Uganda Cranes will face Libya today, Tuesday, September 29, at Hoima City Stadium as they continue their preparations in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) PAMOJA qualification campaign.
Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00pm.
Uganda head into the fixture after securing a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in their opening match. With the hosts of the 2027 tournament already assured of qualification, the current fixtures provide the Cranes with an opportunity to assess the squad, introduce new players and build towards future international assignments.
Head coach Paul Put said the team has received a warm welcome in Hoima but admitted that the squad has had limited recovery time following their trip to Tunisia.
“We had a long travel to go to Tunisia, play in Tunisia in only two days preparation, then came back,” Put said. “The players were very tired yesterday. Today we are going to see on training how the reaction is, and then we have to be ready for the game tomorrow.”
Despite the demanding schedule, Put said the players remain motivated and are eager to produce a positive result in front of the home supporters.
The Belgian coach also urged patience as new players continue to adapt to the national team setup.
“First of all, we have to be patient with the new players, because they are only here for two days. So integration is always important. Integration always takes time,” he said.
The Libya match is also part of Uganda’s wider preparations for two upcoming friendly matches against the Democratic Republic of Congo in South Africa.
Put said the technical team has been working to strengthen the squad following Uganda’s experience at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where the Cranes faced difficulties against some of the tournament’s stronger sides.
“We have to be honest. We played AFCON. I think before AFCON, we did it very well, the team. We did good results in the World Cup, also for our qualification,” Put said.
“But in AFCON, we had to be realistic. And if we played the big teams, we had it difficult.”
The coach added that the latest additions to the squad now have an opportunity to demonstrate that they can raise the team’s level.
“We have been trying to reinforce the team. And now it’s also on them to prove that they really can reinforce the team.”
Uganda captain Denis Onyango welcomed the opportunity to play at Hoima City Stadium for the first time and praised the facility ahead of the historic fixture.
“First of all, we want to thank everyone who made it possible for us to be here. And of course, to the beautiful stadium, because it’s my first time as well at the stadium. It’s amazing, and we can’t wait for the game tomorrow,” Onyango said.
The veteran goalkeeper acknowledged the challenges caused by the team’s travel schedule but insisted they could not be used as an excuse.
“Of course, as the coach said, a little bit of hiccups here and there in terms of our travelling, but the opposition as well also face the same challenge,” Onyango said.
“So it can never be an excuse. We just need to play the game, because at the end of the day we have to play the game.”
Tuesday’s fixture will mark Uganda’s first international match at the Hoima venue, and Onyango said the players are determined to establish it as a strong home ground.
“First game in Hoima for the national team. But we just want to make it a fortress and try and get the results that everyone expects us to get.”
The Cranes will now look to make the most of home advantage against Libya as they continue building squad depth and preparing for the competitive assignments ahead.
