President Yoweri Museveni has congratulated the Cranes for progressing to the round of 16 in the Africa Cup of Nations. The Cranes on Sunday lost 2-0 to Egypt but still progressed as the second Group A team to the knock out stage of Africa’s premier competition.
“Despite losing to Egypt, Uganda Cranes put up a good performance. It is good that the team progresses to the next round of the tournament. We pray and hope for better results going forward. Congratulations to the team and officials for success so far,” Museveni tweeted.
Uganda was by yesterday the only East, Central and Southern African team to have to advance to the round of 16. Tanzania failed to advance after finishing last The Cranes started off the tournament with a 2-0 win over DR. Congo then drew with Zimbabwe to advance as the second team in the Cairo based group.
Museveni has not only been keenly following the Cranes but also directed an increase in the team’s funding to a tune of sh 10bn. The president always sends congratulatory messages to individuals and teams on national duty.
The Cranes return to action on Friday with a date with West African giants Senegal. Teams that win at this stage will advance to the quarter-final stage, a stage Uganda last reached in 1978 when she put up her best performance ever with runners-up finishing at the biennial event in Ghana.