The Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) has announced that the 1978 team that reached the finals of Africa’s biggest showpiece will be given recognition on Saturday when the Cranes take on Zambia at Namboole.
According to the Head of Communications at FUFA, Rogers Mulindwa, members of that squad that are still alive led by Jimmy Kirunda will be assembled to the watching fans before the match kicks off.
“As FUFA, we recognize their achievement and will therefore honor them before kick-off of the big math between Uganda and Zambia”, said Rogers at the FUFA press conference at Namboole after the Cranes morning training session before adding that the federation is also planning the same for the team that played on October 9th, 1962 when Uganda attained Independence.
The 1978 side remains the last squad in the history of Uganda to reach AFCON where they lost to hosts Ghana in the finals. The side had players like Paul Ssali, Jimmy Kirunda, Phillip Omondi (RIP) and Sam Musenze and Timothy Ayiekho among others while the 1962 team had players like Jimmy Ssemugabi Bakyayita and John Agadi among the rest.
Meanwhile, the Vice President of Uganda H.E Edward Ssekandi is expected to be the chief guest on the big day. This was also revealed by Mulindwa at the briefing.
“We have written to him and so far, we have got no reply contrary to our wish”, he said. Uganda need to beat Zambia by at least two goals to reach the AFCON finals in South Africa next year.
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