Uganda will play host to Kenya and Zimbabwe’s home matches for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers at the newly renovated Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.
The Football Federations of Kenya and Zimbabwe have secured the Ugandan stadium for their home games, as neither country currently has a stadium that meets international standards.
Edgar Watson Suubi, CEO of the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA), confirmed the arrangement, noting that both countries had requested to use the 42,500-capacity stadium, which has been cleared by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host international fixtures.
“Kenya and Zimbabwe have requested to use the newly renovated Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, and we have given them the go ahead,” Suubi told Xinhua on Sunday. “CAF has also confirmed their use of the stadium.”
The AFCON 2025 qualifiers will see Kenya hosting Zimbabwe on September 6, followed by Zimbabwe’s match against Cameroon at the same venue on September 10.
Uganda, which last competed in AFCON in 2019, will begin their Group K qualifying campaign away to South Africa on September 6 in Pretoria, before hosting Congo-Brazzaville at Mandela National Stadium on September 9.
“We are very happy that finally Mandela National Stadium is cleared to host international matches, and we now have the opportunity to host other teams here. These are the benefits of having a certified stadium,” Suubi added.
Uganda has been placed in Group K for the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, alongside South Africa, Congo Brazzaville, and South Sudan.
Source: Xinhua
