Uganda and Tanzania Evaluate Required Improvements Prior to Co Hosting 2027 AFCON
Uganda along with Tanzania will join forces with Kenya to co host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and during the current tournament in Morocco they are gauging the extent of enhancements still needed in their teams performance.
These East African countries have historically found it challenging to match the dominant forces across the continent and both are on the brink of early exits from this AFCON through crucial group stage matches scheduled for Tuesday.
The Cranes of Uganda will take on Nigeria while the Taifa Stars of Tanzania confront Tunisia and victories are likely essential for either side to advance to the knockout rounds.
Uganda has managed only a single win in nine outings over three distinct AFCON appearances since their runner up finish in 1978. Tanzania is participating in their fourth tournament overall and remains winless in the competition.
The teams shared a 1-1 draw in Rabat on Saturday where Uganda levelled the score before failing to convert a penalty in the closing stages.
"I informed the players that we rank as the fourth weakest side in the Africa Cup of Nations yet we have delivered two matches at an elevated standard" Tanzania coach Miguel Angel Gamondi stated to AFP.
The Argentine tactician joined just before the event starting from the Tanzanian outfit Singida Black Stars.
Tanzania holds the 112th spot in FIFA rankings and 27th position in Africa even with a population exceeding 70 million the fourth highest on the continent. They kicked off their AFCON campaign with a tight defeat against Nigeria.
Shift the mindset
"My aim is to alter the mindset demonstrate our ability to contend instil a victorious attitude in these athletes and if we stand at 112 currently then I anticipate we could drop below 100 soon" Gamondi remarked.
Progress was evident in World Cup qualifiers where Tanzania secured third place in their section though Gamondi recognises further advancements are necessary.
"A key issue in Tanzania involves clubs utilising up to 12 overseas players" Gamondi continued explaining why top clubs like Young Africans and Simba from Dar es Salaam excel across Africa.
"Facilities represent another major challenge with few high quality pitches available. However in my view the primary concern lies in insufficient youth development.
"Tanzania requires the cultivation of talented players capable of transferring to European clubs to compete and mature since the domestic league lacks intensity and hinders player evolution."
Tanzania boasts Ally Samatta as their premier talent a striker formerly with Aston Villa now in France. The bulk of their AFCON roster features domestic players alongside some from lower English divisions.
Uganda fares better in rankings at 17th in Africa and 85th globally yet their lineup similarly misses top tier expertise.
"Our squad is quite youthful and my duty is to construct a foundation for 2027 thus I am providing them opportunities to accumulate valuable experience" Ugandas Belgian coach Paul Put explained.
"By 2027 we must be well prepared with capable players."
At minimum they are accumulating this experience here as 113th ranked Kenya has missed the previous three AFCON editions.