Confederation of African Football-CAF has finally approved St. Mary’s Stadium Kitende, the home of Vipers Sports Club, to host the 2022 World Cup qualifier games for the Uganda Cranes ending speculations of hosting games in neighbouring countries.
Earlier inspection by FIFA had indicated that St. Mary’s Stadium had no floodlights and no proper roads to the stadium and had urged to be worked upon but this has been ditched, allowing Uganda Cranes to host their home games at home.
“Waking up to the news that St Mary’s Stadium has been approved by CAF to host World Cup Games. This is a wonderful achievement. It was going to be an embarrassment to the Nation for Cranes to host games away. Government can now help work on the access road to the stadia,” the head of communications at Vipers, Abdu Wasike said.
St.Mary’s Kitende also hosted two of Uganda Cranes’ Afcon 2021 qualifier games.
FIFA in March 2020 barred Namboole from hosting the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers after inspection of the facility. They cited that the toilet facilities, the playing ground, the pavilion and the dressing rooms all were substandard.
The Sports Minister, Hamson Obua said that they need about 96 billion shillings to renovate Namboole stadium.
Uganda is in group E for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers alongside neighbours Kenya and Rwanda, and West African giant Mali.
