When Uganda last played Africa Cup, Idi Amin ruled

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

In an era when dictator Idi Amin would interrupt football training to offer advice and bundles of cash, Uganda made it all the way to the 1978 Africa Cup of Nations' final.

However in the nearly 40 years that followed that surprise success, the "Cranes" -- named after the national bird -- never again soared to such dizzy heights.