President Yoweri Museveni has summoned Uganda Cranes team at State House, Entebbe following their exit at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt on Friday.
Senior Presidential Press Secretary Don Wanyama confirmed that the President will meet the team this evening.
“Yoweri Museveni will this evening meet and welcome the Uganda Cranes squad at State House Entebbe as they return from Egypt, where they put up a formidable show at the AFCON 2019 tournament, making it to Group of 16,” Wanyama tweeted.
The Uganda Cranes have returned to the country after being knocked out of the round of 16 by Senegal in a game that ended 1 to nil.
The Cranes who arrived a few minutes to 4:00 am will later on be hosted by
President Kaguta Museveni for a luncheon at State House.
While in Egypt, the Uganda Cranes proceeded to the round of 16 after beating DR
Congo 2-0, drawing 1-1 with Zimbabwe and suffering a 2-0 loss to Egypt.
The Cranes had last moved out of the group stages in 1978.
Their exit has also been followed by the exit of their coach Sebastien Desabre who has since been linked to Egyptian side Al Ahly and Tunisian top side, Etoile Sportive du Sahel.
This after he (Desabre) reached a mutual understanding with FUFA to terminate
his contract for reasons yet to be known.
The team that arrived at Entebbe International Airport today at about 4am is expected to head to State House for a scheduled meeting with Museveni.
Before flying to Cairo, Egypt ahead of the tournament, Museveni had met the Uganda Cranes squad in a meeting that was meant to morale boast them which eventually paid off with Uganda’s first win in their first game against Dr Congo. The Cranes later booked a place in the last 16 after a one-all draw against Zimbabwe despite losing to the host- Egypt in their last game of the group.
It is the first team the Cranes went past the Group stages since 1978 when the national team reached the final, losing to Ghana by 2 goals.
Uganda Cranes on Friday were eliminated in the last 16 following their 1-0 loss to Senegal. Liverpool star Sadio Mane scored the only goal.
Despite a diminutive sit-down strike before the game against Senegal, Uganda Cranes will be given a heroic welcome for such a wonderful performance.
