Sports 24 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Uganda Cranes Skip Bahrain and Madagascar Friendlies Amid Middle East Tensions
The Uganda Cranes will not play their scheduled friendlies against Bahrain and Madagascar due to air travel disruptions from the Middle East conflict. This FIFA window marks a rare break for the team as they prepare for a rebuild ahead of the 2027 Afcon co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/soccer/cranes-skip-bahrain-madagascar-friendlies-5400694
Uganda’s national football team, the Cranes, has canceled its upcoming friendlies against Bahrain on Thursday and Madagascar next week. The matches were planned in Turkey but were scrapped over concerns about air travel disruptions caused by the ongoing Middle East conflict.
National Teams Manager Paul Mukatabala explained that while coaches prefer maximum time with players, significant reasons justified skipping this rare unused FIFA window in March 2026. He noted it’s unusual for Uganda to pass on such opportunities.
The team faces a major rebuild after a poor showing at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations, finishing bottom of Group C with just one point from a draw against Tanzania, plus losses to Tunisia and Nigeria. Captain Khalid Aucho and veteran goalkeeper Dennis Onyango are expected to retire.
Coach Paul Put was set to call up an experimental squad, including domestic stars like NEC’s Joseph Sseremba and Richard Basangwa from their 14-game unbeaten streak. Attention now shifts to the 2027 Afcon qualifiers starting in September and the tournament co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
With no international action, the Uganda Cup quarterfinals will dominate, with draws this week and matches over Easter.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)