Overview:
The team were meant to train at 4pm, local time [6pm EAT] but despite the coaching staff led by Paul Put arriving at the venue, went ahead to arrange the training gear on pitch but a few minutes later, they shockingly withdrew everything, packed their bags, moved back to the waiting car and headed back to the team hotel.
Uganda Cranes didn’t train on Saturday at the Stade Olympique Annex, Rabat, as per schedule.
The team were meant to train at 4 pm, local time [6 pm EAT], but despite the coaching staff led by Paul Put arriving at the venue, went ahead to arrange the training gear on pitch but a few minutes later, they shockingly withdrew everything, packed their bags, moved back to the waiting car and headed back to the team hotel.
Later, Kawowo Sports exclusively got information that players were unhappy with their delayed qualification bonuses.
According to reliable sources, the players were meant to receive $ 10,000 each for helping the team qualify for the Afcon 2025, which would vary depending on the number of matches each played in the campaign.
But instead, Fufa said that the government was responsible for making the payment and it hasn’t done yet.
It is reported that on Friday, FA President held a meeting with the players but it ended without a consensus.
On Saturday, the players held three meetings on their own and agreed to show discontent by not training.
Put, briefly, before getting into the car, revealed that they had been called back to the hotel but confirmed the issue was about players.
The Belgian also admitted that this has greatly affected his team as they prepare to face 2004 champions Tunisia in Group C opening match on Tuesday, December 23.
A repeat of 2019 in Egypt?
This is more like a repeat of the happenings in Egypt 2019 when Uganda Cranes players sat out two training sessions prior to facing Senegal in the Round of 16.
The unresolved issue was over bonuses, and eventually, they lost to the Lions of Teranga 1-0 at this stage.