Namboole, Security ready for Malawi game on Sunday as Airtel facilitates ticket purchase via mobile money
By David Kalyango
Coach Jonathan McKinstry’s official reign as The Cranes technical boss started on Wednesday night with a deserved goalless draw, away to Burkina Faso as the road to Africa Cup of Nations – Afcon Cameroun 2021 finals kicked-off in different corners of the continent.
Burkina Faso could have possibly taken the day but the home side’s dullness in the final third advantaged Uganda to travel home with a point, ahead of their second fixture against Malawi – scheduled for November 17 at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Malawi, who beat South Sudan 1-0 in Lilongwe on the same day, travels to Kampala as group B leaders on three points.
Burkinabe’s Lassina Traore was too close in giving the home side a goal but The Cranes defender Bevis Mugabi cleared off the line, five minutes into play after custodian Dennis Onyango had been beaten. A similar chance came with a free-kick from good scoring range but Charles Kabore’s shot went over the bar.
After recess Uganda could have celebrated a goal but Emmanuel Okwi’s header off a Farouq Miya corner kissed the crossbar.
Uganda travelled back to Kampala immediately after the game, following an arrangement that saw Fufa and government authorities charter a Uganda Airlines Bombardier plane – a move that eased and facilitated a smooth plan ahead of the Sunday fixture.
Coach McKinstry fielded Onyango – the team captain in goal with Mugabi starting at right back as Joseph Ochaya took over retires Godfrey Walusimbi’s traditional left back position. Timothy Awany and Murushid Jjuuko paired in the central defence as US based Mike Azira, Khalid Aucho, Abdul Lumala and Farouq Miya marshaled the midfield.
Okwi and Patrick Kaddu were mandated to hunt for goals.
As Uganda host Malawi on Sunday, Burkina Faso will travel to Khartoum to South Sudan.
Namboole authorities as well as security agencies announced on Wednesday that they were ready for the Malawi game.
“We made a deliberate move to put a hold on activities at the stadium in the last two weeks because the playing turf had lost shape. I assure the public that the pitch is now in proper condition to host the game on Sunday,” said Mandela National Stadium Sports and Recreation Officer, Vivian Tendo.
“We have not anticipated any political threat and we do not expect any sort of political attachments to this game. It is against Caf and Fifa rules to involve political sentiments to football and thus we call upon the fans that will come to Namboole to desist from such,” warned Patrick Onyango –Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson.
The Chairman, International Matches Organising Committee –IMOC Issa Magoola revealed that the Malawi Flames will arrive on Friday afternoon.
“The Malawi national team will jet into the country on Friday. The match officials are coming from Sudan and are expected on the same day in the evening,” noted Magoola at Fufa House Mengo.
Tickets are on sale as follows;
Ordinary Tickets @ 20,000
VIP Tickets @ 50,000
VVIP Tickets @ ugx120, 000
Discounted Tickets via Airtel Money @ ugx15, 000
Students will pay ugx 10,000 after schools’ prior arrangement with Fufa
Some of the notable Ticket Selling points include;
Fuel Station outlets
Total City Centre
Total Bweyogerere
Total Ben Kiwanuka
Total Nateete
Total Kibuli
Ssentosh General (Total Ku Bbiri)
Shell Fuel Station Outlets
Shell Capital- Kampala Road
Shell Bugolobi
Shell Kabalagala
City Oil Outlets
Nakawa
Kamwokya
Namirembe road
Bombo road
Mandela Auto Zone
Airtel Shop – Ben Kiwanuka
Airtel Shop, Forest Mall- Lugogo
GAPCO – Ben Kiwanuka Street
Hardware World- Ntinda
Mukono City Shoppers
Fufa House- Mengo
Tango Sport -Jinja
Good start….go cranes