Today in History: Uganda Cranes Return to AFCON After 38-Year Wait

What the report says

Nile Post reports that on September 4, 2016, Uganda’s national football team, the Cranes, secured a long-awaited return to the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1978. The decisive result came in a Group D qualifier against Comoros at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, where Uganda needed a win on the final day to advance as one of the best runners-up.

The only goal came in the 35th minute, when Moses Oloya created the chance and Farouk Miya finished from close range past Comoros goalkeeper Ali Ahamada. The team then defended the 1-0 lead in front of a crowd of more than 40,000 supporters, sealing qualification and sparking celebrations on the pitch and across Kampala.

The report says the moment was seen as a major milestone in Ugandan football. Players and coach Milutin "Micho" Sredojević celebrated emotionally after the final whistle, reflecting the significance of ending a 38-year absence from AFCON. The squad included Denis Onyango, Nicholas Wadada, Isaac Isinde, Murushid Juuko, Joseph Ochaya, Khalid Aucho, Tonny Mawejje, Moses Oloya, William Luwagga Kizito, Farouk Miya and captain Geoffrey Massa.

Nile Post adds that Uganda later went on to play at AFCON 2017 in Gabon and qualified again for AFCON 2019 in Egypt. The article presents the 2016 victory as a turning point for the Cranes and notes, as broader context, that Uganda is scheduled to co-host AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Tanzania.