AFCON Qualifiers
Thursday, March 23
*Algeria 2-1 Niger
Friday, March 24
*Uganda Vs Tanzania – Suez Canal (Egypt) – 5pm (EAT)
Group F Standings
Algeria 🇩🇿 – 9
Niger 🇳🇪 – 2
Tanzania 🇹🇿 – 1
Uganda 🇺🇬 – 1
How To Watch: The Uganda Vs Tanzania game will be live on DSTV – SuperSport Channel 225 (Football HD) and Gotv Select One. FUFA TV which is also on StarTimes, has confirmed that they will broadcast the match live. Streaming links will be shared to our social media platforms before or during kickoff.
Probable Lineups:
•Uganda – Salim Jamal, Gavin Kizito, Aziz Kayondo, Halid Lwaliwa, Timothy Awany, Khalid Aucho, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Farouk Miya, Fahad Bayo, Emmanuel Okwi, Joseph Ochaya
•Tanzania – Aisha Manula, Kibwana Shomari, Dickson Job, Bakari Mwamnyeto, David Luhende, Mzamir Yassin, Ibrahim Baka, Feisal Salum, Simon Msuva, Kelvin John, Mbwana Samatta
The Preview:
Uganda Cranes play host to neighbours Taifa Stars of Tanzania in Group F clash of the 2023 AFCON Qualifiers on Friday at the Suez Canal Authority Stadium in Ismailia, Egypt.
The Cranes are hosting in Egypt after CAF did not find any stadium in Uganda, including St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, fit to host the games at this level.
And the Cranes have been deprived of the home advantage, further rendering Friday’s clash a more balanced affair.
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This will be the third match in these Qualifiers for both sides, with the Cranes seated rock bottom with a point having lost the opener to Algeria 2-0 before a 1-1 draw with Niger at Kitende.
And Cranes coach Milutin Micho Sredejovich is well aware of the importance picking points in this double header against Tanzania as the two sides will meet again next week on Tuesday in Dar Es Salam.
“We have done so much behind the scenes for close to nine months to make sure we get good results against Tanzania,” Micho said ahead of Friday’s clash.
“I believe that we are mentally ready, physically fit, technically effective and tactically aware.
“Playing in a derby means you must be at your best because such games are determined by small margins.”
The Cranes started the Preparations with local-based players who played a Regional Tour match, falling 2-0 to Kitara Region before the team flew out to Egypt.
The team then beat Ismaily SC in a practice match 3-1 with Richard Basangwa, Fahad Bayo and Rogers Mato on target.
Only Dundee United Striker Sadat Anaku is not with the team of the players that were summoned by Micho.
The squad includes the return of South African-based goalkeeper Salim Jamal, Joseph Ochaya and Steven Mukwala.
Captain Emmanuel Okwi, Farouk Miya and Khalid Aucho are some of the senior players on the team who are expected to shoulder the heavier burden.
Taifa Stars Fancy Chances Against the Cranes
Taifa Stars will be backing themselves to pick at least a point off the Cranes especially that the games is being played on a neutral ground.
This, will be the first assignment for new Algerian coach Adel Amrouche who will be eager to impress.
There is also huge motivation for the players after the Tanzanian government pledged a prize money of TSh500m if the Taifa Stars qualify for AFCON due next year in Ivory Coast.
Tanzanian football has been on the rise, and this very month, their Clubs Simba and Yanga qualified for the knockout of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively.
Head To Head
This will be the 60th meeting between Uganda Cranes and Tanzania since 1964!
The Cranes have won 15, lost 12 while 32 games have ended up in draws.
Tanzania won the most recent fixture 1-0, with Simon Msuza on target during the Friendly on September 24 last year in Benghazi, Libya.
The Taifa Stars also beat Uganda Cranes in the last AFCON Qualification fixture 3-0 in Dar Es Salaam back then in March 2019, but the Cranes had already qualified.
Last 10 Fixtures:
•Sep 2022: Tanzania 1-0 Uganda (Friendly)
•Sep 2022: Uganda 3-0 Tanzania (CHAN)
•Aug 2022: Tanzania 0-1 Uganda (CHAN)
•Dec 2019: Uganda 1-0 Tanzania (CECAFA)
•Mar 2019: Tanzania 3-0 Uganda (AFCON)
•Sep 2018: Uganda 0-0 Tanzania (AFCON)
•Jul 2015: Uganda 1-1 Tanzania (CHAN)
•Jun 2015: Tanzania 0-3 Uganda (CHAN)
•Dec 2013: Uganda 2-2 Tanzania (CECAFA)
•Jul 2013: Uganda 3-1 Tanzania (CHAN)
