- Fans will forever remain a key component of the football family any time, any day.
They sing, dance, run about, merry make and above all contribute a significant amount of revenue through gate collection as well as purchase of regalia and merchandise.
During the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Gabon, the tale has been no different.
Fans of the all the 16 countries at the championship have endeavored to cheer with passion their respective countries.
It is the continent’s biggest football event and there is every sound justification to move an extra mile and show solidarity, overwhelming support and energetic cheering.
Personally, I remain extremely indebted to the Uganda Cranes fans who traveled down here in Gabon.
From businessmen, local leaders, football club administrators to ordinary fans, they have been all united in one common cause of supporting the Uganda Cranes.
Memories of members of parliament Allan Ssewanyana and Patrick Isiagi, Makindye Mayor Ali Mulyanama and the rest of the group shouting their voices out throughout the match of Ghana will remain stuck in brain forever.
There is a lesson or two, I have learnt from the fans in Mali, Ivory Coast, Guinea Bissau, Gabon, Ghana and Togo.
They shout from the opening whistle till the end. They never stop until the final whistle regardless of the result and the game tiding.
My friends I have talked to from Mali have told me they even run a fans’ national association and SACCO where personal savings have been well kept and audited.
Traveling for AFCON and World Cup qualifiers is made easy with this SACCO where the expenses are met from these savings.
Sound instruments (trumphets, vuvuzelas and the band) are also purchased from funds realized from these savings.
Uganda ought to borrow a leaf. Our fans should have organized groups where the national federation (FUFA) and Government can also lend a helping hand if need be.
AFCON 2017 has been a tournament where fans have dressed to the kill with the respective romantic colours.
MUJJE TULUMBE
