Can Uganda hope to pass the group stage of AFCON 2025?
by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo
Uganda: The Cranes have high hopes for the AFCON 2025
Uganda are making their first appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations since 2019, and the objective couldn't be clearer: progress beyond the group stages.
They have made eight appearances in this tournament, and their best performance was back in 1978 when they finished as runners-up with Ghana being crowned African champions.
Under the leadership of the experienced Paul Put, the Cranes find themselves in a challenging group. They are in Group C, which consists of Nigeria, Tunisia, and Tanzania. On paper, this already makes their prospects of securing a top-two finish an impossible task.
Qualifying for the current campaign was a walk in the park for the East African nation, which finished as runners-up in Group K with 13 points to their name.
How Uganda have fared against teams in Group C
Uganda already finds themselves in a competitive group, and there's no margin of error in their bid to progress beyond the group stages. Below, we take a look at how they've fared against teams in Group C:
Uganda vs. Tunisia
- Date and Time: 23 December, 21:00 (BST)
- Venue: Stade Olympique Annexe Complexe Sportif Prince Abdellah, Rabat, Morocco.
If there's any team that could make life difficult for them in this tournament, then it has to be Tunisia. The Cranes have lost three consecutive matches in this fixture and were outscored 8-1.
This is the third time that these two sides have crossed paths in the Africa Cup of Nations. In their first meeting, which was in 1962, Uganda suffered a 3-0 defeat in a third-place playoff matchup. They met again after 16 years, and Tunisia won 3-1 in a group stage game.
Uganda vs. Tanzania
- Date and Time: 27 December 2025, 18:30 (BST)
- Venue: Al Medina Stadium, Rabat, Morocco.
Paul Put's men know that their matchup against Tanzania in Group C of the 2025 AFCON is a must-win match if they are to have any chance of securing a top-two finish.
There have been 19 meetings between these two sides in recorded history, and Uganda have the edge in this fixture. They've emerged victorious ten times, with four ending in draws (L5).
Their recent meeting was in the CHAN qualification, and they won 1-0 on the road to end a three-match losing streak. This marks the first meeting between the two sides in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Uganda vs. Nigeria
- Date and Time: 30 December 2025, 17:00 (BST)
- Venue: Fez Stadium, Fes, Morocco.
Surprisingly, Uganda have held their own against Africa's powerhouse and three-time AFCON champions Nigeria. In their last six meetings, they've won four, lost one, and drawn one.
Their last competitive match was in the CHAN qualification, where they secured an important 2-1 home victory. However, that meeting was 18 years ago, meaning a lot has changed since then.
Paul Put names 28-man squad for AFCON 2025
Head coach Paul Put has named 28 players who will represent Uganda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The list includes a blend of experience and youth, with some plying their trade in Europe.
Goalkeepers: Salim Omar Magoola, Denis Onyango, Alionzi Nafian, Charles Lukwago
Defenders: Toby Sibbick, Elio Caprodossi, Jordan Obita, Rogers Torach, Abdu Azizi Kayondo, Isaac Muleme, Timothy Awany, David Owori, Hilary Mukundane
Midfielders: Kenneth Semakula, Khalid Aucho, Ronald Ssekingada, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Baba Alhassan
Forwards: Allan Okello, Melvyn Lorenzen, Travis Mutyaba, Denis Omedi, Mato Rogers, Reagan Mpande, Jude Ssemugabi, Uchechukwu Ikpeazu, Steven Mukwala, James Bogere, Ivan Ahimbisibwe, Shafik Nana Kwikiriza.
