Cranes players to pocket Shs27 million each

Egypt's midfielder Mahmoud Hassan (C) challenges Uganda's midfielders Khalid Aucho and Hassan Wasswa (R) during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group D football match between Egypt and Uganda in Port-Gentil on January 21, 2017. AFP PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • After losing the opening match 1-0 to the Black Stars of Ghana and following it up with the same margin loss to Egypt, the Uganda Cranes became the first team to exit the tournament.
  • The Cranes yesterday traveled to Oyem where they will face Mali in the last group D match on Wednesday.

Uganda Cranes players will each pocket Shs27,150,000 for making the team at the 2017 Total Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
"We agreed that each of the 23 players who made it to Gabon will get US$7,500 (about Shs27,150,000) as appearance fees at the event," Uganda FA head of Finance, Decolas Kiiza told this reporter on Saturday night at the Port Gential Stadium where the Cranes lost 1-0 to Egypt.

Mr Kizza explained that although the government only budgeted for U$5,000 for the players as appearance at the competition, the FA decided to top-up and make it US$7,500.
He said they had negotiated with the team that for each win at the Afcon each player pockets US$3,000 (about Shs10,860,000) and US$1,500 (about Shs5,430,000) for a draw. The Federation had also fixed another US$7,500 (about Shs27,150,000) for qualification for the semifinal stage.
But the Finance Director said all the bonuses to the team are meant to come from the cash prize that the team will pocket at the Afcon. In-case the team comes 4th they will bag Shs1,719,500,000 (US$475,000). The government released Shs2 billion towards the Cranes preparations and participation at Afcon.

After losing the opening match 1-0 to the Black Stars of Ghana and following it up with the same margin loss to Egypt, the Uganda Cranes became the first team to exit the tournament.
"We have learnt a lot from this experience. All the games played at 2017 Afcon continue to make us a better brand," said head coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic. The Cranes yesterday traveled to Oyem where they will face Mali in the last group D match on Wednesday.