Uganda Cranes Set for Historic Friendlies Against Brazil and France

The Uganda Cranes are gearing up for two landmark friendlies against football powerhouses Brazil and France. These games mark some of the highest-level tests in the team’s history, set before the FIFA World Cup begins in June.

After discussions with FUFA and Ugandan contacts in the USA, the matches are confirmed for Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. This venue is home to MLS club New York Red Bulls, where ex-Cranes captain Ibrahim Sekagya serves as assistant coach. Sekagya reportedly played a pivotal role in arranging these fixtures, especially after Uganda missed earlier friendlies due to Middle East tensions.

Cranes coach Paul Put views these encounters as crucial preparation for the Pamoja Africa Cup of Nations, where Uganda will co-host next year. Despite ongoing AFCON qualifiers, Put emphasized the unique challenge these games pose. ‘The Cranes will still play in Afcon qualifiers but the two friendlies against France and Brazil bring a whole new test for the crop of players we have,’ he stated via FUFA.

Put aims to strengthen the defense, featuring players like Jordan John Obita and Toby Sibbick, following a point earned at the recent AFCON finals in Morocco. US-based midfielders Steven Sserwadda (CT United FC, on loan from New York Red Bulls II) and Bobosi Byaruhanga (Oakland Roots) are expected to join due to proximity.

The Cranes will face stars like Kylian Mbappe for France and Vinicius Jr for Brazil. France seeks African opposition before their World Cup opener against Senegal, while Brazil tests squad depth ahead of Morocco.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)