Denis Onyango has praised the Ugandan government for Hoima City Stadium as the Cranes prepare to face Libya in a historic AFCON 2027 qualifier.
Uganda Cranes captain Denis Onyango has praised the Government of Uganda for constructing Hoima City Stadium as the national team prepares to open a new chapter in the country’s football history against Libya.
Uganda and Libya meet at the new venue on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, in their second Total Energies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Pamoja 2027 qualifier. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. East African Time.
The Group H encounter will be the first senior men’s international staged at Hoima City Stadium. That landmark has given the match importance beyond the three points at stake, while also highlighting the spread of major international football beyond Kampala.
Onyango impressed by Hoima City Stadium
Onyango expressed his appreciation after visiting the stadium for the first time. The Cranes captain said he was impressed by the work completed at the facility and thanked the government for delivering the new ground.
The experienced goalkeeper is in line to become the first player to lead Uganda in a senior international at the stadium. For a captain who has represented the country across many major fixtures and venues, the Hoima assignment carries a distinct place in Uganda’s football story.
Onyango said the team was ready to compete despite experiencing some delays during its journey. He refused to use the travel disruption as an excuse, noting that Libya had also dealt with its own journey before arriving in western Uganda.
“We want to win, and as players, we are set and ready to give everything for three points,” Onyango told the media.
Uganda have already secured their place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts alongside Kenya and Tanzania. However, Onyango made clear that the Cranes still want to perform strongly and pursue victories throughout the qualifying campaign.
Dabo expects a demanding contest
Libya coach Youssoupha Dabo has also acknowledged the size of his team’s task. He thanked the hosts for the reception received in Uganda and described Paul Put’s side as a strong, settled team.
Dabo nevertheless insisted that the Mediterranean Knights had travelled to compete for victory. He wants his players to carry forward the determination they showed during the second half of their opening qualifier against Botswana.
The Libyan coach also understands the symbolic opportunity attached to the venue. Just as Uganda want to celebrate the first international at Hoima City Stadium with a win, Libya hopes to become the first visiting national team to triumph there.
That shared ambition gives the contest a sharper edge. The hosts want to reward the Hoima crowd and mark the stadium’s international debut positively, while the visitors intend to make their own entry in the venue’s history.
Both teams searching for their first win
Uganda and Libya enter the game with one point each after drawing their opening Group H matches.
The Cranes earned a 1–1 draw against Tunisia in Rades, producing a disciplined away performance against one of the group’s established teams. Paul Put welcomed the point but stressed that it would lose much of its value if Uganda failed to deliver another strong display against Libya.
Libya’s opening match followed a more dramatic path. The Mediterranean Knights trailed Botswana 2–0 until the 87th minute before Maruwan Alhibeeshi pulled one goal back. Ezoo El Mariamy then converted a stoppage-time penalty to complete a 2–2 draw.
That comeback demonstrated Libya’s resilience and ability to remain competitive deep into a match. Uganda will therefore need to maintain concentration until the final whistle, particularly if the hosts gain an advantage.
Hoima takes its place on Uganda’s football map
The arrival of the Cranes gives supporters in Bunyoro and surrounding regions a rare chance to experience a competitive senior international closer to home. For years, major national-team fixtures have largely been associated with Kampala and central Uganda.
Hoima City Stadium now offers an opportunity to broaden that national footprint. A successful occasion—on the pitch, in the stands and around the venue—could strengthen the argument for taking more Cranes matches to different parts of the country when suitable facilities are available.
It also allows local supporters to build a direct connection with the national side. Young players and fans in western Uganda will see the country’s leading footballers perform in their own region on a night expected to become part of Hoima’s sporting history.
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Conclusion
Uganda versus Libya is both a competitive Group H fixture and a landmark event for Hoima. Onyango’s gratitude reflects the significance of a new national stadium hosting the Cranes, while Dabo’s comments underline that Libya have arrived with serious ambitions of their own.
The first whistle will confirm Hoima City Stadium’s place on Uganda’s international football map. For the Cranes, the ideal way to complete that historic moment would be to pair the occasion with their first victory of the qualifying campaign.
