Uganda Cranes won’t participate in the upcoming 2023 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) finals after they pulled out of the tournament due to financial difficulties. This comes after the country’s U23 in October withdrew from the 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, also citing financial hardships as stated by Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA) president Moses Magogo on Monday. “Like for the U23, we are left with no further option but to withdraw the Uganda Cranes from CHAN finals because the Ministry of Finance has not provided the funds as appropriated by Parliament,” Magogo said in a Twitter statement. “The sanctions on Uganda will affect the future if we don’t take the hard decision now. Sorry for the players and coaches who qualified the team but it is the moment to face the reality,” he added. Uganda Cranes qualified for the 2022 CHAN finals in Algeria after defeating Tanzania 4-0 on aggregate. They were scheduled to begin their tournament preparations on December 21. The 2023 CHAN tournament kicked off in Algeria on January 13 and will run until February 4. Uganda are pooled in Group B with DR Congo, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. Following their withdrawal, it remains unclear whether they will be replaced.
