On Monday evening, Uganda Cranes defeated Congo Brazzaville 2-0 at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, to take the top spot in Group K of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers. Aziz Kayondo and substitute Jude Ssemugabi scored the goals, keeping Uganda’s hopes alive for a spot in the tournament.
The game started positively for Uganda, with Kayondo breaking the deadlock in the 22nd minute with a curling cross that caught Congo’s goalkeeper off guard. However, in the 34th minute, a section of the stadium lights unexpectedly went out, causing a brief interruption. According to CAF protocols, the following procedures were triggered:
Temporary Suspension: The game was immediately suspended, with officials pausing play to assess the situation and determine if it was safe to continue.
Time Limit: CAF regulations dictate a specific time frame within which the lighting issue must be resolved. Failure to restore lighting within this period could result in the match being abandoned or rescheduled.
Host Responsibility and Penalties: The host country or stadium management could face penalties if the outage is deemed preventable, including fines or being forced to replay the game at a different venue.
Safety First: The safety of players, officials, and fans is paramount. If the outage poses any danger, the match could be called off entirely.
Broadcasting Impact: A blackout can disrupt broadcasting, leading to financial losses and dissatisfaction among viewers, which could have further repercussions for the host.
Forfeiture Risk: In extreme cases, if the host is found responsible and cannot resolve the issue, they could be forced to forfeit the match, awarding the victory to the opposing team.
Despite the blackout, the fans at Namboole Stadium kept the atmosphere alive by lighting up the stands with their phone flashlights, allowing the game to resume moments later when the lights were rectified . Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put made a tactical substitution in the 44th minute, bringing on Jude Ssemugabi for Muhammad Shaban, which paid off in the second half when Ssemugabi scored Uganda’s second goal in the 85th minute.
The win puts Uganda at the top of Group K with four points, following a 2-2 draw against South Africa in their opening match. Uganda’s next challenge is a home fixture against South Sudan on October 11, followed by a return leg in Juba on October 15. This crucial victory keeps Uganda’s quest for AFCON 2025 qualification firmly on track.
