FUFA has defended FUFA’s choice to accommodate Uganda Cranes at the FUFA Hotel in Kisaasi.
This comes after a storm that broke following a video showing Cranes players taking a morning walk through Kisaasi in a perceived less-than-ideal environment.
FUFA president Eng. Moses Magogo told the media that exclusive hotels, such as the Cranes Paradise Hotel in Kisaasi where the Uganda Cranes are housed, provide a controlled environment that shields players from public attention and distractions.
Magogo emphasized that customized accommodations like Cranes Paradise are designed to prioritize exclusivity, sports customization and keeping players focused on training and matches.
“The hotel has a football environment designed scientifically to prepare a football team. To keep youthful players enclosed for two months is not easy and here we have managed to achieve it. The hotel has everything needed, mini playing ground, swimming pool, gym and spacious parking for the team bus. Let’s concentrate on the results and not maligning,” noted Magogo.
He says that in contrast, lavish public hotels are often bustling with guests, media, and fans, which can disrupt a team’s mental preparation.
“The roads to the hotel are not the best but we have no control over it. However, we have spoken to KCCA and they have inspected and we pray they work on the roads. We have engaged the government to work on all roads to main stadiums and hopefully it will come through,” he added.
The Uganda Cranes’ ability to stage a comeback after an initial loss to Algeria, winning 3-0 against Guinea and 2-0 against Niger suggests that the exclusive setting may have helped maintain team focus and resilience.
Uganda Cranes take on holders Senegal on Saturday at the Namboole stadium in the quarterfinals in a game that has already sold out.
