Kampala — SECURITY has been beefed up at Mandela stadium as tension and excitement rises before the make-or-break Nations Cup qualifier against Niger on Saturday.

Assistant Supritendant of Police Lawrence Niwabiine told journalists at the FUFA weekly press conference yesterday that they will deploy plain-clothed policemen in and outside the stadium.

"We learnt from our previous experiences in June and we hope to take over security of the stadium early enough," Niwabiine said.

Fans were beaten and lost property as they walked home, while others ran onto the pitch at the final whistle as Uganda beat Nigeria 2-1. Uganda was fined sh10m.

Niwabiine said that to ease traffic flow to Namboole, Jinja Road from Wampewo round- about (near Hotel Africana) will be one-way towards the stadium.

Mandela stadium management also confirmed the pitch was ready and they were ready to host up to 40,202 fans.

After the game, fans will rush to their televisions as it emerged yesterday that several key games that could affect Uganda's qualification-particularly the South Africa-Zambia game- will be played the next day.

If Uganda wins, their qualification will only be confirmed the next day when rivals Burundi and Zambia play.