Uganda FA rewards players 21,500 USD for win over Botswana

Federation of Uganda Football Association (Fufa) has rewarded national team players with cash amounting to 21,500 U.S. dollars for last weekend's win over Botswana in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier.

Ahmed Hussein, the FA spokesperson told Xinhua on Tuesday that each of the 18 players who made the final squad received 1,000 dollars, while the seven who were in camp but did not make the final team were paid 500 dollars.

"It is another way of motivating the players after a good start to the campaign," said Hussein.

Uganda Cranes who last qualified for the 1978 Afcon beat Botswana 2-0 last Saturday with Geoffrey Massa and Brian Umony scoring two second half goals. They are now join Group D table leaders together with Burkina Faso who also defeated Comoros 2-0 over the weekend.

Moses Magogo, the FA President commended the players for the good start but also cautioned them not to take things for granted.

"This is a marathon campaign. We have five more games to play. You need to report back on time as required by your club rules. Let' s not have issues with the clubs that did a good job of releasing you for national duty," said Magogo.

Head Coach Milutin 'Micho' Sredojevic told Xinhua that his team played well and dominated the opponents but hoped that they continue with the same momentum going into the next games.

"We still have a chance but have to keep working hard, play as many international friendly games as possible and also look for ways to motivate the players," added Sredojevic.

The Cranes will play their next 2017 Afcon qualifier on Sept. 5 away to Comoros. However attention has now shifted to the 2016 Africa Nations Championship qualifier where Uganda face Tanzania on Saturday in a game slated for Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar. Endi