Namboole declared fit for play, tickets on sale

The state of Mandela National Stadium Namboole has formed the richest fodder for the media - albeit in bad light - as Uganda Cranes prepares for the first Afcon home engagement against the Malawi on Sunday.
Almost two weeks since all form of action was halted at the stadium due to an unplayable field, the stadium’s sports and recreation officer Vivian Tendo delivered a detailed update about its state.
“We made a deliberate move to put a hold on activities at the stadium in the last two weeks because the playing turf had lost shape.
“I assure the public that the pitch is in now in good condition to host the game,” Tendo told the press at the Fufa House, Mengo yesterday.
Daily Monitor has independently learned that the grass has recuperated from the soggy state it was in during the Masaza Cup finals and the last game at the stadium (Kyetume 1-2 Vipers). Speaking to NTV on Tuesday, stadium manager Jamil Ssewanyana revealed that the turf at Namboole needs an extreme makeover considering the hefty activity it takes on a daily basis.
The three top flight sides that host their matches at Namboole aside, corporate and religious events literally book the stadium on a weekly basis.
At the same press conference, it was announced by the International Matches Organizing Committee (IMOC) chairman Issa Magoola that Malawi will be arriving tomorrow after their Afcon date with South Sudan yesterday.
No political inclinations
“We have not anticipated any political threat and we do not expect any sort of political attachments to this game. It is against Caf and Fifa rules to involve political sentiments to football and thus we call upon the fans to desist from such,” warned Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, SP Patrick Onyango.
He assured fans that Uganda Police Force together with their sister security agencies have guaranteed deployment before and after the game.
Fufa Marketing and Communication committee chairman Rogers Byamukama revealed that the tickets are on sale and the selling points have been released.
There is a subsidised fee of Shs10,000 for schools that will bring students in uniforms but the latter must engage Fufa prior.
Uganda Cranes, who played Burkina Faso last night, are pooled alondside Malawi, Burkina Faso and South Sudan in Group B.

AFCON Cameroon 2021 Qualifiers
November 17, Namboole
Uganda vs. Malawi, 4pm
Entry Fees:
Shs20,000 (ordinary), Shs50,000
(VIP) and Shs120,00 (VVIP)