Uganda Cranes captain Jordan Obita has expressed disappointment following the cancellation of the national team’s international friendly matches in Morocco, saying the decision was particularly frustrating for players hoping to make an impression in national team colours.
The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) confirmed on Wednesday that the Cranes’ scheduled friendlies against Tanzania and Madagascar, set for June 5 and June 8 in Marrakech, had been called off after directives from Moroccan authorities citing sanitary and public health considerations.
Speaking after the cancellation was communicated to the team, Obita admitted the news came as a major setback for the players, especially those attending camp for the first time.
“It is disappointing to arrive here and receive the news that the matches will not take place. We had several new players in camp who wanted to show their qualities to the coach and to the country. For them especially, it is a huge disappointment,” Obita said.
The defender noted that the camp had provided a rare opportunity for emerging players to stake their claim for future national team selection, making the cancellation even harder to accept.
Several players had been called up hoping to impress head coach Paul Put ahead of Uganda’s preparations for the upcoming TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which begin in September. With the friendlies scrapped, those players now miss a valuable opportunity to showcase themselves in an international environment.
Despite the frustration, Obita urged his teammates to quickly shift their focus back to their clubs and maintain the standards that earned them national team recognition.
“Unfortunately, these things happen in football. We now have to return to our clubs, continue playing regularly and make sure we are ready for the upcoming matches in September,” he said.
The Uganda Cranes delegation had already assembled in Morocco when the cancellation was announced, forcing the team to abandon plans for the FIFA international window. Attention will now turn to securing alternative preparations as Uganda gears up for a crucial run of continental qualifiers later this year.
