KAMPALA, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Football Federations of Kenya and Zimbabwe are to play their home matches of Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers, which will kick off in September, at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, capital city of Uganda.
Edgar Watson Suubi, CEO of the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA), confirmed to Xinhua on Sunday that Kenya and Zimbabwe will play their home matches in Uganda, because they do not have stadiums in their countries.
"Kenya and Zimbabwe have requested to use the newly renovated Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, and we have given them the go ahead, while the Confederation of African Football has also confirmed them to use the stadium," Suubi explained.
Uganda's 42,500 capacity stadium was recently renovated, and the African football body has cleared the facility to host international matches. "We shall have Kenya host Zimbabwe on September 6, while Zimbabwe will host Cameroon at the same stadium on September 10," Suubi said.
Uganda, who will start their AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign in Group K away to South Africa on September 6 in Pretoria, will host 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, last featured in the 2019 AFCON, was placed in Group K of the 2025 qualifiers alongside South Africa, Congo Brazzaville, and South Sudan. ■
