Uganda will face Burundi for a spot on the 2026 Seashore Soccer Africa Cup of Nations after the qualification draw was held in Cairo on Tuesday afternoon.
The 2 East African neighbours have been paired collectively within the qualifying spherical, organising a two-legged battle for a spot on the continental finals.
The primary leg will likely be performed between 9 and 11 October, with the return leg scheduled for 16 to 18 October. The group that comes out on high on mixture will e book a spot on the finals in Senegal.
The 2026 Seashore Soccer AFCON will likely be held in Senegal from 7 to fifteen November 2026.
The event will carry added significance as it’ll additionally function Africa’s qualifying competitors for the 2027 FIFA Seashore Soccer World Cup. The 2 finalists in Senegal will earn Africa’s locations on the international event.
Uganda will subsequently have loads at stake within the tie in opposition to Burundi. Qualification wouldn’t solely take the Sand Cranes again to the continental finals but additionally put them inside attain of a spot on the World Cup.
The Sand Cranes have already made their mark on the African stage. Uganda made its Seashore Soccer AFCON debut in 2021 in Senegal, reaching the semi-finals and ending fourth total.
After dropping their opening match 5-1 to hosts Senegal, Uganda responded with a 4-3 victory over Tanzania earlier than advancing to the knockout stage and producing a memorable run on their debut.
The next 12 months, Uganda returned to the event in Mozambique, qualifying after defeating Comoros 9-5 on mixture. They completed third of their group after a 6-3 win over Madagascar and defeats to Senegal and Egypt.
The upcoming qualification marketing campaign gives the Sand Cranes one other probability to return to the continental stage after their earlier appearances.
Senegal will enter the 2026 event because the group to beat. The hosts are the five-time defending champions, having gained each version of the Seashore Soccer AFCON since 2016.
For Uganda, nonetheless, the instant focus is on Burundi. The Sand Cranes will first want to achieve a bonus within the opening leg earlier than the return fixture decides who progresses.
The mixture winner will head to Senegal in November, the place Africa’s finest seaside soccer nations will battle for continental honours and the 2 accessible tickets to the 2027 FIFA Seashore Soccer World Cup.
Uganda will likely be hoping their earlier expertise on the AFCON can assist them overcome Burundi and earn one other place amongst Africa’s elite in seaside soccer.
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