With the final qualification window for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations approaching and the 2024 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) exams on, KCCA and Uganda Cranes rising star Shafik Nana Kwikiriza has been the focus of a national debate.
Kwikiriza, a Senior Six student at Jinja Progressive Secondary School and a national team player, faced a difficult choice between prioritizing his education or joining the Cranes in their AFCON campaign.
The public opinion has been split over recent days, with some advocating for him to seize the football opportunity, while the majority believe he should complete his exams.
Ultimately, the decision fell to Kwikiriza and his close circle, including his family, his club, and officials from the national team and FUFA.
Together, they reached a consensus: Kwikiriza will prioritize his studies and sit for his UACE exams.
The 20-year-old did not join the Uganda Cranes squad for their upcoming AFCON qualification match against South Africa, a decision head coach Paul Joseph Put supported.
“He’s going to focus on his exams,” Coach Put confirmed on Monday. “I was informed by the CEO, and we discussed it with the federation.”
“I made the decision to give him time off until after the game. We must also consider his studies. He’ll be welcome to rejoin us afterward, and he’ll have at least three to four days before the next game.”
As a result, Kwikiriza will miss the Cranes’ game against South Africa on Friday, November 15, but could potentially join the team for the final qualification match against Congo Brazzaville on Tuesday, November 19.
According to the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) timetable, there will be a break in UACE exams following papers on Wednesday, November 13, resuming only on November 29.
Kwikiriza earned his first national call-up in the last international window, though he remained an unused substitute during the doubleheader against South Sudan.
The Cranes currently lead Group K with 10 points and are close to securing their first AFCON appearance since 2019.
For Uganda to qualify, they must avoid a loss to South Africa, or if they do lose, Congo must not win against South Sudan in the other Group K fixture in Juba.
