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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has given the green light for Mandela National Stadium-Namboole to resume hosting international matches. This news comes just two weeks after the Ugandan FA (FUFA) conducted two successful test matches at the stadium, according to a statement shared by FUFA spokesperson Ahmed Hussein.
This development is a major boost for Ugandan football. The Uganda Cranes will now have the opportunity to host their crucial upcoming FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying fixtures against Botswana and Algeria next month on home soil. Previously, international matches were held away due to the lack of a suitable stadium.
Last month, Ugandan Radio Network (URN) reported that FUFA was in quiet negotiations with CAF to secure permission to host the June games at Namboole, provided the stadium met the minimum requirements. This request came after a CAF inspection report revealed that Namboole Stadium, which has been under renovation for the past two years, still fell short of the standards required for international matches.
CAF highlighted several deficiencies that needed to be addressed, including relocating the media tribune, finishing the ceiling work, upgrading the floodlights, improving the VVIP section, and reducing seating capacity from 40,818 to 38,000 due to obstructed views caused by structural posts.
Despite these concerns, Col Peter Kidemuka, the Project Engineer, assured everyone that most issues were already being addressed and would be resolved promptly. The floodlights, a key concern, had already been ordered and were expected to arrive imminently. Kidemuka pledged that the stadium would be fully prepared by May 25, 2024, well in advance of the Uganda Cranes’ fixtures.
Speaking to URN at that time, Decolus Kiiza, FUFA’s Deputy CEO in Charge of Football, explained that they had initiated negotiations with CAF to accommodate the contractor’s revised deadline and keep Algeria and Botswana informed of any developments.
“We were negotiating in light of the new concrete program because the main obstacle was the floodlights. It’s the only factor that couldn’t be easily addressed quickly. Until they arrive, we couldn’t guarantee anything. So, we were negotiating whether they would allow us to proceed with the revised completion schedule,” Kiiza told URN.
Subsequently, FUFA selected two Uganda Premier League matches, including the traditional Kampala derby between KCCA FC and SC Villa, along with Bidco FC facing Kitende-based club Vipers SC, to be played at the stadium as part of a readiness assessment after two years of renovations. FUFA president Moses Magogo described the test matches as a success.
This will be the first time the Uganda Cranes will play at their beloved Namboole Stadium since November 2019, when they last hosted international matches before the facility was blacklisted by CAF due to substandard conditions.
Source: URN