Kampala — Coach Bobby Williamson's Cranes will surely have over a billion reasons to be motivated for Saturday's Nations Cup qualifier after sealing a new three-year sh1.4b sponsorship deal yesterday.

With a treacherous qualification campaign to negotiate in the forthcoming 11 months, the funding will do much in relieving soccer governing body FUFA of the team's expenses during home-and-away assignments.

"This kind of support will not only help the Cranes, but also support the Inter-regional tournament that helps so much in grass root development," FUFA boss Lawrence Mulindwa said, as he hailed telecommunication company MTN for renewing their contract with the national team at a press briefing yesterday at Serena Hotel.

The company's three-year sh900m deal with the Cranes had expired in May this year. Aside from approximately a billion that will be offered in cash to particularly cater for the players' welfare, kit and administrative expenses, the rest of the support will be generated through service.

"It (sponsorship) has come at the right time. You can't get a better boost than this," Mulindwa said, adding that "We have enjoyed the partnership and I am extremely happy that what we agreed has been fulfilled."

Williamson confident

Williamson and team captain Ibrahim Sekagya later declared their intensions of pulling all the necessary stops in trying to secure a massive result over Angola at Namboole Stadium this weekend.

"My team is physically and mentally ready. Their game awareness is better than before. I have been impressed with every passing session. We just need to support them," Williamson stated.

Just like fellow professionals Tony Mawejje, Vincent Kayizzi, Brian Umony and Geoffrey Massa, Cranes captain Ibrahim Sekagya defied fatigue to train with the rest of the team.

"I am impressed with the determination in camp. Every player seems ready for the assignment ahead. The spirits are really high," he said.

"This support confirms our confidence in the Cranes, its management," MTN Chief Executive Officer Themba Khumalo told the media yesterday.

Obua joins team

Hearts midfielder David Obua finally regrouped and trained with the Cranes yesterday afternoon.