By Samuel Opio
Uganda Cranes is away to Lesotho Likuena (The Crocodiles) at the high attitude Setsoto stadium in the mountainous city of Maseru.
Although Uganda is miles away from the Southern Africa land locked country, the 12th man in the 20,000-seater stadium terraces will passionately cheer the East African footballing giants.
Bar the handful of fans who traveled with the chartered flight from Entebbe International Airport alongside the team, there are a number of Ugandans who stay in Lesotho and the neighboring South Africa.
“I am ready to watch and support Uganda Cranes when we play Lesotho. I live and work in Lesotho but my heart is permanently Ugandan. I will definitely come for the Tuesday game and I know many others willing to come” Rajab Kakaire, a medical doctor working in Maseru said.
“We love football. We always hear of the Uganda Cranes and watch on TV. Now, it is the time to catch the stars live” Kizito Mugagga, who traveled from South Africa by road testifies.
A handful of Ugandan fans who traveled with the team include the colorful Khassim Kyazze, also a staunch KCCA Football Club supporter.
Kyazze will paint himself in the trademark Black, Yellow and Red Uganda Cranes colours and gives an assurance to support as soon as he enters the stadium.
“Uganda Cranes is my life. As usual, the paint is ready and am looking forward towards a colorful evening. The chilly weather is not a threat to me because I managed to paint my body in cooler weather conditions like in Morocco. We had a meeting with the other fans to seat in one segment and cheer as a complete block” Kyazze attests.
Besides the ordinary fans, there is the A-class cluster that has the envoys, National Council of Sports officials and Members of Parliament.
“Supporting Uganda Cranes is a patriotic calling. I was born Ugandan, lived in Uganda and forever a Ugandan” Hanson Obua, who represents Adjuri County in the national August house.
Uganda Cranes beat Lesotho 3-0 during the first leg played at Mandela National Stadium last Saturday with Emmanuel Arnold Okwi scoring a brace and Faruku Miya getting the other through a penalty.
Victory for the Cranes will take the CECAFA giants on the brink of qualification for Cameroon 2019 AFCON edition.
AFCON Cameroon 2019 Qualifiers (Group L)
- Tuesday, 16th October 2018
- Lesotho Likuena Vs Uganda Cranes
- At Setsoto Stadium, Maseru (7 PM in Uganda, 6 PM Local Time)
