AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Uganda make history as Cranes host Libya in first competitive match in Hoima

Uganda will make history on Tuesday when the Cranes play their first-ever competitive match at the Hoima City Stadium, hosting Libya in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Group H encounter, scheduled for 16:00 GMT, represents a significant moment for Ugandan football as the national team takes a competitive fixture outside Kampala for the first time.

The Uganda Football Federation (FUFA) has described the occasion as an opportunity for supporters to be part of a historic day for the Cranes.

The newly established Hoima venue will provide the backdrop for Uganda’s second Group H fixture after Paul Put’s side opened their qualifying campaign with an encouraging 1-1 draw away to Tunisia in Radès on Thursday.

Tunisia took the lead through Alaa Arous in the 12th minute, but Uganda responded after the break when Rogers Mato equalised in the 68th minute to earn the Cranes a point.

The result gives Uganda confidence heading into their first home fixture of the campaign, although Libya will arrive in Hoima also looking for their first victory.

Libya drew 1-1 with Botswana in their opening Group H match, meaning both sides enter Tuesday’s meeting with one point. Tunisia and Botswana also drew 2-2 on Monday, leaving the group finely balanced after the opening two rounds of fixtures.

For Uganda, however, the significance of the match extends beyond the group standings.

The Cranes are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON finals because Uganda is one of the three co-hosts alongside Kenya and Tanzania.

As a result, the qualifying campaign is primarily being used to give Put’s team competitive matches and help him build a squad capable of competing at next year’s tournament.

Despite their automatic qualification, Uganda are participating in the qualifiers in accordance with CAF regulations. Only one additional team from Group H will qualify alongside hosts Uganda.

That has given Put an opportunity to assess several players as he continues to shape his squad.

Veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango remains an important figure for the Cranes, while the squad also contains a number of younger players being integrated into the national team. FUFA’s 28-man squad for the September fixtures included players based across Africa, Europe and North America.

Mato’s equaliser against Tunisia was particularly encouraging for the Cranes. The Scotland-based forward’s goal rescued a point and helped Uganda end their long wait for a positive result against Tunisia, while also providing momentum ahead of the Libya match.

The home fixture in Hoima is therefore both a sporting and symbolic occasion.

FUFA president Moses Magogo has urged Ugandans to turn out for the match, with the federation highlighting the importance of taking the national team to other parts of the country. The Libya game is the first Uganda Cranes AFCON qualifier to be staged outside Kampala.

Libya coach Youssoupha Dabo, meanwhile, expects a difficult contest against the hosts and knows his side will face a strong atmosphere at the new venue.

With both teams having taken a point from their opening matches, Tuesday’s encounter offers an opportunity for either side to register its first win of the campaign.

For Uganda, though, the result will share the spotlight with the setting.

As the Cranes walk out at Hoima City Stadium for the first time in a competitive fixture, the match will mark a new chapter in Ugandan football and provide a major test for Put’s developing side on the road to the 2027 AFCON finals.

The tournament is scheduled to be held from 19 June to 17 July 2027 in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, marking the first time the competition will be jointly hosted by three countries.