David Gombe
Uganda Cranes has secured a return to the Africa Cup of Nations with two games left in the qualification campaign.
Uganda’s progress was confirmed after South Sudan beat Congo Brazzaville 3-2 on Thursday in Juba.
Defeat for Congo ends their chances of qualifying for the continental showpiece due in Morocco next year.
Data Elly netted a late winner for South Sudan in the 87th minute to send both Uganda and South Africa into jubilation.
Ebon Ezibon scored South Sudan’s other goals in the first half with Christopher Ibayi netting for Congo.
Congo finished the game with ten men following a red card that was shown to Bryan Passi in the second period.
Cranes lead Group K with 10 points followed by South Africa with eight points while Congo are third on four points, South Sudan are bottom with three points.
Uganda and South Africa will lock horns on Friday at Mandela National Stadium with both teams through to Morocco’s showpiece.
The Cranes return to the AFCON tournament after missing out on the previous two editions while Bafana Bafana were bronze medalists in the 2023 final event that was hosted in Ivory Coast.
Uganda and South Africa join hosts Morocco, Egypt, DR Congo, Cameroon, Angola, Burkina Faso, Algeria, and Senegal.
