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Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic insists that eventual qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier will give the Cranes wings when they embark on the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
The Uganda Cranes will visit Niger in their final AFCON qualifier in September, with the game decisive regards Uganda’s attempt to return to the tournament finals since 2019.
While 2019 African Champions Algeria have already qualified for the AFCON finals to be played in Ivory Coast in January 2024, one spot remains open in Group F.
Tanzania, level on points with Uganda (seven points) also have an equal chance to qualify should they better Uganda’s result, or score more goals on the final matchday.
Should Uganda get that victory, Micho believes it will play a significant role in psyching up his relatively young team when they embark on 2026 World Cup qualification in November.
“I believe that a crucial aspect needs to happen in September when we play against Niger,” Micho said shortly after the World Cup qualifiers draw was confirmed in Ivory Coast on Thursday evening.
“In case we win, we shall have wings of confidence after qualifying for the AFCON, which will bring momentum and give mileage to the legs of our young team.”
“Who will then be ready for the World Cup qualifiers, turning the dreams of Ugandans into reality by qualifying for the World Cup 2026,” he added.
“We have to keep in mind that there are 10 matches to play, five at home and five away.”
“Therefore, it is a long competition where the team that wants to qualify will have to pick up the highest number of points,” the Serbian stated.
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Uganda has never qualified for the World Cup, but the country’s Football Association (FUFA) had promised that it is strategically planning to see that the Cranes reach theur first finals in 2026.
The World Cup qualifiers for Africa are scheduled to commence in November 2023 and continue until October 2025, with the inter-confederation playoffs set for November 2025.
Micho underlined the gravity of these matches, emphasizing that teams aiming to qualify need to accrue the maximum points possible.
The Serbian acknowledges that Uganda Cranes have been placed in a challenging qualification group.
The Cranes will face the formidable Algerian side, among others, who have already defeated them in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier meetings this year.
The remaining Group G teams include Guinea, Botswana, Mozambique, and Somalia.
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This upcoming face-off with Algeria brings back memories of the Cranes' disheartening 2-0 loss in both their 2023 AFCON qualifiers, leaving Uganda's bid to return to the AFCON strained.
Mozambique, on the other hand, will be a novel adversary for Micho's side, while Somalia, Botswana, and Guinea bring a mixed bag of past encounters.
Undeniably, the path ahead for the Cranes is arduous but not impassable. A triumphant World Cup qualification would be a first for the nation, adding to the stakes of the upcoming matches.
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05:04 - 14.07.2023
FOOTBALL Kajoba takes goalkeeping gig at UPL top club
This strategic addition to the club's technical team comes as part of a broader restructuring process that kicked off last month with the appointment of Stojanovic as Villa's head coach.
Meanwhile, the FIFA World Cup itself is poised for a historical transformation.
The 2026 edition, co-hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico across 16 cities, will see an unprecedented increase to 48 teams, a marked expansion from the 32-team format of the last seven tournaments.
This alteration brings significant implications for teams like the Uganda Cranes, opening up new possibilities and increased chances for World Cup participation.
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