The Cranes Return to Africa’s Biggest Stage

In January 1968, Uganda returned to the Africa Cup of Nations after a six-year absence. Coached by Robert Kiberu and captained by Parry Oketch, the Cranes faced hosts Ethiopia, Algeria and Ivory Coast in Group A, playing their matches at Haile Selassie I Stadium in Addis Ababa. Uganda’s qualification campaign had begun with a 5–4 aggregate victory over Kenya. They subsequently lost the home leg against Egypt 1–0, but Egypt withdrew before the return match amid the 1967 Six-Day War, allowing Uganda to advance to the finals. Uganda finished fourth in the group with three defeats, two goals scored and eight conceded, exiting before the semi-finals. The squad included Joseph Masajjage, Ibrahim Dafala, David Otti, Stephen Baraza, Polly Ouma, Denis Obua and Peter Okee. Okee would later coach Uganda to the 1978 AFCON final, giving the 1968 team a notable connection to the country’s greatest continental campaign.