AFCON eyes on Uganda

KAMPALA. - InanerawhendictatorIdiAminwould interrupt football training to offer advice and bundles of cash, Uganda made it all the way to the 1978 African Cup of Nations soccer final.

However in the nearly 40 years that followed that surprise success, the “Cranes” -- named after thenationalbird--neveragainsoaredtosuchdizzy heights.Thecurrentsquad,thefirsttoqualifyforthe tournamentsince,ishopingtochangethatinGabon where the 2017 African Cup of Nations takes place from tomorrow 14 to February 5.

The players, like most of their supporters, are too youngtoremembertheglorydaysofUganda’slast appearance.

“Times were different then. There was full government support for sports. We got everything we wanted,” said Jimmy Kirunda who captained the 1978 team during Amin’s reign.

The towering dictator ruled from 1971-1979 and, when he was not committing widespread abuses, issuingeccentricdictatesorsendingbizarremissives to world leaders, was an eager sportsman and fan who opened the government purse to the country’s stars. - AFP.