Uganda qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 38 years, after beating Comoros 1-0 on Sunday.
With ululations from a packed crowd at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, the game’s pivotal moment arrived after 35 minutes, when Moses Oloya provided the assist for 20-year-old Ugandan football player Farouk Miya to score.
Miya, who also doubles as the Standard Liege striker scored Uganda’s only goal that has now qualified the Cranes as one of the two best group runners-up and will travel to Gabon next year to make their first appearance at the finals of the tournament since 1978.
Miya paid a courtesy visit to Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) on Tuesday, where he said that when the ball hit the net, his mind was on God, his my mother, and Ugandans.
“I can’t quite describe my feeling on scoring. We had been very close many times but failed so I didn’t want to get carried away. When that ball went in, my mind was on God and my mother, and the Ugandans; how much they love me.” he said.
Miya further stated that in football, every second counts, so there is need to stay calm throughout. This was however tough for him after the goal.
Miya told UBC that the future of football is in the hands of the supporters.
“It’s the fans who make things happen; their money develops the sport and most importantly their support drives on the team. You have seen small teams doing very well because of their fans. I thank the fans and hope that they continue with us on this journey.” he urged.
Based in Belgium, he plays as a striker for Belgian club Standard Liège on a three-year deal. Standard Liège has already confirmed that they have used the buy option to make the deal permanent as of the 2016-17 season.
Miya is described as “Muyizi Tasubwa”, a Luganda saying meaning “a hunter who cannot miss”.
aaron@ugchristiannews.com
