FUFA has on Wednesday confirmed that selected Uganda Premier League matches will be used in testing the refurbished Mandela National Stadium.
The stadium which has been undergoing renovation for the last three years is waiting for approval from CAF before hosting international games again.
According to FUFA Executive Committee Member Rogers Byamukama who addressed the media on Wednesday at FUFA Complex, soft testing of the stadium is one of the requests by CAF before granting the greenlight to host international games.
”As we are all aware, there has been renovation works going on at Namboole and we are in the final stages of having the stadium re-opened. But one of the conditions CAF set was to have test matches and see if the venue is ready.” He stated.
The two games selected include KCCA FC hosting SC Villa and BUL FC taking on Vipers SC in a title clash. Both games will be played on the same day (1st May 2024).
The game between KCCA FC and SC Villa will kick off at 4PM EAT while the other encounter between BUL FC and Vipers SC will kick off at 7PM EAT.
”FUFA and the Uganda Premier League Secretariat sat together and agreed to have two League games serve as test matches for the refurbished stadium. We zeroed down on two key fixtures who have a bearing on the title race.” Byamukama added.
Uganda Premier League Manager Paul Kabaikaramu confirmed all four clubs were consulted and they agreed to have the games at Namboole.
”We engaged the clubs, especially the hosts BUL FC and KCCA FC who all agreed to this arrangement. We believe this even adds more attention around the final bend of the League.” He indicated.
Anisha Muhoozi, the KCCA FC CEO who also attended the press conference indicated they agreed to the request for the good of football.
”We have all been eager to have Mandela National Stadium back, when FUFA and Uganda Premier League reached out to us, we agreed to the idea and we cannot wait to enjoy the experience.” She said.
Mandela National Stadium was closed in 2019 before the outbreak of COVID-19 with CAF indicating the venue was in a sorry state to host international matches.
Since then, the stadium has been undergoing renovation and CAF recently made a report confirming the facility was short of the needed amenities. Last week, the government released 17BN to enable the completion of work.
FUFA is fighting hard to see that Uganda Cranes can host the next FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Botswana and Algeria in June at Namboole.
Will the fans be allowed to access the stadium for those matches?
Ok it’s not bad , thy can test the stadium and we see what next