NAIROBI, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Kenya is in talks with Uganda to play one friendly match in Kampala or Nairobi in April as part of their preparations for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Egypt.
Speaking in Nairobi, Uganda Cranes head coach Sebastien Desabre said the two teams will benefit if they can stage a buildup match as part of their preparations for the AFCON, which will be played in Egypt from June 15 to July 13.
"Plans are there to have a match for the two teams. It is a possibility and will greatly help in our preparations. If we can play together to prepare it will be very good for both of us because Kenya has a good team and we also have a good team," said Desabre on Tuesday in Nairobi.
Kenya and Uganda have already qualified for the AFCON finals with one round of matches to spare in March. Kenya faces Ghana away in Accra while Uganda will be hosting Tanzania at home in Kampala.
A win for Tanzania will see three East African teams make the AFCON finals in Egypt.
The Ugandan coach, a French citizen, was in the country at the invitation of his compatriot Sebastian Migne, who trains Kenya's Harambee Stars.
The two tacticians watched Kenya's biggest football derby pitting Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards. There are three Ugandan internationals playing for Gor Mahia.
On the international friendly match, Desabre noted that it will be confirmed once Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) completes the draws for the AFCON finals next month.
"It is important we await the draw to be conducted. Maybe Kenya and Uganda will be in the same group and that will mean we can't play each other so close to the AFCON finals," said Desabre.
"It is great Kenya and Uganda teams will be heading to Egypt. I am happy for him (Migne) and Kenya fans because they deserve this after 15 years wait," he added.
Kenya also plans to pitch camp in France for training before heading to Egypt. The draw for AFCON 2019 has been scheduled on April 12 in Cairo, Egypt.
