By Lawrence Mubiru
Uganda Cranes’ early preparations for the AFCON PAMOJA 2027 qualifying campaign have suffered a setback after their scheduled international friendly matches against Tanzania and Madagascar were cancelled despite the team already being in Morocco.
The national team traveled to Marrakech earlier this week for the June FIFA international window, where they were expected to face Tanzania on June 5 before taking on Madagascar on June 8. The two matches were seen as crucial tests for head coach Paul Put as he continues shaping his squad ahead of the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.
However, the fixtures were abruptly called off following communication from authorities through the designated match agents.
In a statement released by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), the cancellation was attributed to health-related concerns.
“The two International Friendly matches against Tanzania and Madagascar have been cancelled due to sanitary and public health considerations as communicated by authorities through our match agents,” FUFA stated.
The development comes as a major disappointment for the Cranes’ technical team, which had assembled a 28-man squad blending experienced internationals with emerging local talent. Fourteen players from the Uganda Premier League had earned call-ups, with many hoping to impress and cement their places in the national setup.
Before the team’s departure to Morocco, head coach Paul Put had emphasized the importance of the friendlies in evaluating the squad’s readiness ahead of the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign scheduled to begin later this year.
“I think these will be two good games to test where we are as a team. Qualifiers for AFCON 2027 start soon in September, October and November, so we need to be prepared,” the Belgian tactician said.
The cancelled matches were also expected to provide valuable exposure for several new faces and locally based players who stood out during the recently concluded domestic season. With no competitive action now taking place during the FIFA window, the coaching staff may have to explore alternative ways to assess players and maintain momentum ahead of the qualifiers.
Despite the disruption, the Cranes remain focused on building a competitive squad capable of securing qualification for AFCON PAMOJA 2027, which Uganda will co-host alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
The challenge for Paul Put and his players will now be to ensure that the unexpected interruption does not affect their long-term preparations for the crucial campaign ahead.