The wait has been long, the pain unbearable, and the tension palpable. Here are 10 reasons why the Cranes will qualify for their first finals since 1978.

The line up
First ever all professional line up: The current Cranes line up may not be the most talented ever, but it is the first all professional line up. Exalted footballers – Phillip Omondi, Jimmy “Omulogo” Ssewava, and Magid Musisi were much more talented. But this is the first time the team will be full time pros.

Ezra’s offer
Sports philanthropist Michael Ezra has staked $100,000 for the 16 players who make the final squad, coach Laszlo Csaba and his two assistants if they beat Niger and qualify. It doesn’t matter that he will only offer $50,000 if the team does not qualify. The financial incentive is big enough for the players to break a leg.

No more robbery
Atonement for robbery in Niamey, Abeokuta: Our trips to West Africa yielded one point out of six, thanks to thuggish officiating by Senegalese referees. Today is payback time.

Excellent coach
Csaba leaves nothing to chance: The Cranes are blessed with a coach whose thoroughness will ensure victory. A stickler to discipline, the Hungarian born German has imparted German efficiency and big match temperament to the team.

Gulf in Fifa rankings
There is a big gulf in class between our Uganda Cranes and Niger du Mena. Uganda is ranked 98th by world football governing body Fifa. Niger is a distant 146th, a good 48 places down. You certainly do not expect San Marino to beat England, do you?

The allure of Ghana
Ghana it was in 1978 and Ghana it will be 30 years later. None of the stars in this campaign was born then but there as so many great links.

12th man at Namboole
They think they are unbeatable until you bring them to Namboole. Ghana, DR Congo and even Nigeria have all been brought down to earth at the fortress of Ugandan football.

Organised Fufa
After years of mal-administration, the local football governing body has succeeded in restoring belief in players, fans and corporations. A mega Shs900m sponsorship deal from telecommunication giants MTN last June was followed by a mammoth Shs8.4b sponsorship package from pay television company GTV. Not one player has complained.

God owes us
Uganda has suffered it’s fair share of heartache over the years. The Paul Hasule saga stopped us from making it to the Senegal ’92 finals, while Adam Ssemugabi’s missed penalty denied us a place in Tunisia ’94.
After years of near misses, God has decided that enough is enough!

No West African referee
Referees from West Africa are unique for their inclination to deny Uganda at any cost. Zimbabwean referee Kenias Marange who has been tasked to handle today’s tie is a welcome relief. So there you are, ten reasons we can’t get it wrong. Oh Uganda, May God uphold thee, we lay our future in your hands!