Motherwell defender sets AFCON target he's 'going to do everything' to make happen

Motherwell defender Bevis Mugabi hopes to make his dream of competing at the Africa Cup of Nations next year with Uganda a real proposition.

The centre-back is off the back of a good season at club level with the Steelmen, where he committed his future to them until 2024 and helped secure a fifth-placed Premiership finish.

Europa Conference League football now awaits next month at the second qualifying round phase, but first, Ugandan business awaits.

After an opening 8-1 friendly win over Hammam Sousse, the Cranes head into two qualification matches against Algeria on June 4th and Niger on June 8th.

They have been camped in Tunisia ahead of the matches and Mugabi insists it would a dream come true if he was to reach the frontier of major tournament football.

The former Yeovil Town defender has 13 caps for his country, six of which have been earned while wearing claret and amber at club level. AFCON 2023 is due to take place in Ivory Coast in 12 months time.

Speaking to the Ugandan FA, he said: “Qualifying for AFCON ultimately is the target, I don’t think any player came here as passengers and not to compete.

“For me personally, I want to play in Ivory Coast for the Africa Cup of Nations, we are ready, and we are going to do everything to make that happen.

“With the game yesterday, the manager was trying to get across the information he wants from us on Saturday’s game.

“It’s nice to have a friendly match with the team together a squad. And hopefully we go into Saturday’s game in good conditions.

“Everyone in the squad has good experience playing against different type of players and We are ready to go into Saturday’s game to compete."

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