Ugandans ban visitors from Cranes camp

With just over two weeks left to the 2013 AFCON qualifying return leg against the Chipolopolo of Zambia, the Cranes are in residential training, as they await the African champions.

The Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, will be the venue for a game the Ugandans must win with a two-goal margin to qualify for the South Africa finals. Zambia won the first leg 1-0 at home.

FUFA vice president Livingstone Kyambadde said that they will set up a desk for fans who want to donate to deliver their contributions instead of going to camp. 

- We are not going to allow fans to visit the team. We are setting up a desk at FUFA to receive all the contributions. We want the boys to concentrate on training. We do not want a repeat of what happened last time, he told the New Vision.

FUFA’s decision comes after the federation was heavily criticised for allowing visitors, mostly politicians, ‘detract’ Cranes preparations in the previous campaign especially the final game against Kenya in October last year. 

The Cranes, who just needed a home victory to qualify, saw their bid thwarted when Harambee Stars played to a goalless draw. But this was after several high profile visits to the camp, including one by President Yoweri Museveni.

Zambia will visit Uganda for the second leg on 13 October 2012.