EAST AFRICA’S HOPE: Keeper Onyango to lead Uganda Cranes in flying the region's flag

Uganda's starting eleven (top L to R) defender Joseph Ochaya, goalkeeper Denis Onyango, defender Timothy Awany, midfielder Geoffrey Kizito, midfielder Hassan Wasswa, forward Geoffrey Massa (bottom L to R), defender Denis Iguma, forward Farouk Miya, forward Luwagga Kizito, midfeilder Tony Mawejje, and midfielder Mike Azira pose for a group picture ahead of the friendly football match between Ivory Coast and Uganda at New York University Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 11, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / NEZAR BALOUT

As usual, East Africa will be under-represented when the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations finals kick off in Gabon today.

Only Uganda Cranes will play in the competition leaving Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Sudan and Ethiopia to watch from home.

Uganda Cranes made it to the 2017 edition after 39 years and just like their neighbours Kenya, it was always a matter of so near yet so far.

Just like in previous qualifiers, Uganda Cranes were not as clear cut in the 2017 edition.

They started well with wins over Comoros and Botswana. Their chances hang in the balance after they picked only a point from two matches against the 2015 finalists Burkina Faso.

Hope was restored when the Cranes beat Botswana away leaving them with just a step away to qualification with a last match against Comoros.

Well aware of their tendency to blunder at the last hurdle (the Ugandans failed to beat Kenya at home and qualify for the 2013 edition in South Africa), there was no taking chances this time.

On paper, it looked like an easy match for the Cranes considering their opponents are among the lowly ranked in the world. The Cranes triumphed courtesy of a first half goal by teenage striker Farouk Miya and with it ended a 39-year hurt.

Celebrations reverberated across Kampala on the day Uganda Cranes qualified.

In Gabon, Uganda are pitted against giants Mali, Ghana and Egypt in the group stages of the tournament. It is a tough group from which they will have to give their all to in order make it to the knock-out stages.

It is indeed a tough group for Uganda as their opponents are expected to field experienced playing in Europe. While most of Ugandan players in Gabon ply their trade outside the country, they also have no big stars.

Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango is clearly Uganda’s biggest star and was recently named the African Player of the Year based at home during the CAF Awards. Even then, Uganda Cranes are not to be underrated considering they have previously picked some results against their opponents in Gabon.

Uganda Cranes are unbeaten against Ghana in the last three competitive matches and even managed a draw away in the 2018 qualifiers.

Mali looks to have lost their lustre in the recent past and Egypt could be the only team capable of troubling the Ugandans. All in all, Kenya’s neighbours may end up being the surprise package in their group.