Uganda has qualified for the beach soccer Africa Cup for the first time in history after the Black Sharks of Ghana decided to withdraw at the qualifying phase of the tournament.
Uganda’s Sand Cranes had just reported into the camp at Njeru Technical centre to start preparations for the Beach Soccer Africa cup nations qualifier against the Black Sharks of Ghana.
The arrival of some big names had boosted Uganda’s preparations including Godfrey Lwesibawa, and captain Meddie Kibirige who were away from camp due to engagements with their StarTimes UPL teams among others.
Despite making it to the finals, the players and their coach say they would have loved to lay against Ghana to boost their preparations and also to settle an old grudge from 2015.
Meddie Kibirige thinks qualifying without playing their game is a challenge.
“We have not played against Ghana and its a challenge that we are not having any competetive game as we head for the tournament,” he said.
in-field Sulaiman Ochero also said he would have loved to revenge against Ghana who humiliated them back in 2015.
“We haven’t gotten the opportunity to exact our revenge against them (Ghana) because the last time they came here they defeated us badly.”
Sand Cranes coach says he has always admired to play against better teams and this tournament now gives him the chance to.
“Fortunately and unfortunately, fortunately we have qualified for the Africa Cup. I always admire to face teams like Senegal that have played at the World Cup. So I have always wanted to face that challenge.”
The finals of the tournament will take place in Senegal in May.
