It is Official, Egypt is the number one sworn enemy to most Ugandans. Mbu ‘ we should cut off the River Nile supply and redirect it to Congo!’ (this hatred is becoming something else.)

The Uganda Cranes lost to Egypt and this was rather a predictable disappointment but as any hopeful citizen, I had previously predicted Uganda would win the AFCON 2017. Silly me. Maybe we should aim for the world cup! At this point I am desperate for anything.

With little effort or input, most of we Ugandans always seem to expect miracles. (God help us .) If anything, this heartbreaking loss to Egypt should serve as an eye opener for Uganda. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

Great football nations like Brazil, German and Spain have consciously embedded football into their country’s vision and way of living. The sport is not an after meal that could be left on a plate. It is a recognized job opportunity for the youth and a lucrative industry for their economies. In the 90s, Uganda was known for it’s agricultural exports, then came oil (a very delicate subject) and now I am honestly not sure what Uganda is all about.

Today we are supporting football, tomorrow rugby and the other day politicians are fighting! Get it together teenage girl, you will not have all the boys at school! (Oops that was another conversation)

Taking away from the two AFCON 2017 games, the boys lost to Ghana on a penalty and to Egypt on a last minute lucky chance. This is what happens to even the best of teams, sometimes you just don’t have the edge to win.

Uganda Cranes is embodied by a young hungry competitive spirit and skilled players that have a winning mind. (Ignore the Massa catastrophe) The likes of Muhamad Shaban, Joseph Ocaya and Farouk Miiya could as well be playing in the premier League but we need to prepare for the future of soccer.

The governemt should start setting up and support already existing football academies to groom tomorrow’s Messi not a lawyer or pilot as we were told in the 90’s. (There is even no serious piloting school in Uganda but we were encouraged to aim for the job. Perplexing!)

The time is now to embrace the future. We shall not win the AFCON if we have one training stadium and no sport Academies. I humbly ask that our parliament starts discussing such issues and let the Golden Hand shake alone. We have one of the best Armies in Africa because those boys are trained hard. Choppers, tanks and all. (Chuck Norris has nothing on these guys) Sports needs serious funding because it will bring in as equally much and more!

Most university graduands are jobless because they are studying for jobs already occupied by older candidates who are not willing to let go. This is an evolving era. A time that needs the youth to branch out to other industries. Sports, music and other creative studies are the way to go.

I love Uganda and I love sports. You and I should pave way for our grandchildren.

On Wednesday 25th, the Cranes will play their last AFCON 2017 game against Mali. Even though a win is pointless for us, I am hopelessly yearning for it.  The boys need to come home with some restored confidence. The next competitive games are the world cup qualifiers. (Not a joke)  If qualifying for big championships is our thing these days, I will happily settle for a place in the world cup!!! THE WORLD CUP (Are you this excited? I hope you are.)

lastly, Egypt is not Uganda’s enemy YOU PEOPLE ARE. kindly move on to better days.