Uganda Cranes players are yet to depart from Dakar’s Airport to Cape Verde for their 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier’s first leg match against the Islanders set for Saturday 10 July.

Uganda Cranes contingent was to travel this morning but as matters stand the federation has not managed to get a flight few hours before the game.

This puts Uganda in a bit of a time crunch. Even though there are some seven players who flew directly to the Praia, it is very difficult to get the rest of players to Cape Verde’s capital on time.

If there are no issues from now until kickoff, Cranes should be able to physically be at the stadium to face the islanders.

But considering the tactics being played by hosts, the two hour flight and having to play in one of the most humid stadiums in Africa, pundits cant see Uganda mentally being in the game against the Islanders.

And that’s very unfortunate for a country who typically has exceptional young talent and can be a contender to earn a slot in the tournament that will be hosted in Cameroon.

FUFA communications department yesterday indicated only seven players who had arrived while the rest were wait for another flight later on Saturday morning.

The seven currently in Cape Verde include Emmanuel Okwi, Geoffrey Serunkuma, Bernard Muwanga, Robert Kakeeto, Isaac Muleme, Derrick Nsibambi and Muhammad Shaban.

The match will be played at the Estádio da Várzea, Praia City from around 8.30 pm Ugandan time (4.30pm in Cape Verde).