Coach Put calls for fearless Cranes in make-or-break Nigeria clash
Uganda head coach Paul Joseph Put knows the scale of the task but believes his players can rise to the challenge against the Super Eagles, who were runners-up at AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast and have already qualified for the knockout stage.
Uganda head coach Paul Put speaks during a press conference at the Complexe Sportif de Fes, in Fes on December 28 2025. The briefing focuses on the team’s preparations and objectives ahead of upcoming fixtures. (Photo by Issam Zerrok / Hans Lucas via AFP)
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The Uganda Cranes will face Nigeria in a decisive Group C match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Tuesday, December 30, 2025, with kick-off set for 7:00 pm at the Complex Sportif de Fès in Morocco.
At the same time, Tanzania will take on Tunisia in the other group fixture.
Uganda head coach Paul Joseph Put knows the scale of the task but believes his players can rise to the challenge against the Super Eagles, who were runners-up at AFCON 2023 in Ivory Coast and have already qualified for the knockout stage.
Uganda Cranes Monday's training session at the Stade Olympique Annex. (Courtesy Photo)
“We know we are facing a very good team. They were finalists at the last AFCON and have maximum points,” Put said.
“But the players will give their best. It will be hard and difficult, but in football, everything is possible.”
Put added that the performance against Tanzania, despite the 1-1 draw, has given the team confidence ahead of the Nigeria clash.
“We played a good game. We didn’t win, but it gave us a good feeling. To face a team like Nigeria, you must be confident,” he said.
Uganda and Nigeria will meet for only the second time at the AFCON finals. Their only previous finals meeting came in the 1978 semi-finals, when Uganda beat Nigeria 2-1 to reach the final.
Abdulla Nasur scored early, Martins Eyo equalised, before Phillip Omondi netted the winning goal.
Overall, the two teams have met eight times in all competitions.
Uganda hold a slight edge with four wins, Nigeria have two, while two matches ended in draws. Uganda are also unbeaten in their last three meetings against the Super Eagles, including a goalless friendly draw in Asaba in 2018.
Ugandan player Jordan John Obita addresses the media during a press conference at the Complexe Sportif de Fes, in Fes on December 28 2025. The player speaks about the team’s preparation and focus ahead of upcoming challenges. (Photo by Issam Zerrok / Hans Lucas via AFP)
The Cranes come into the match with one point from two games after losing 3-1 to Tunisia and drawing 1-1 with neighbours Tanzania.
Only a win against Nigeria will give Uganda a realistic chance of reaching the round of 16, and they will also need a favourable result in the Tunisia–Tanzania match.
Nigeria, meanwhile, sit top of Group C after victories over Tanzania and Tunisia. With qualification already secured, they will be aiming to finish the group with a perfect record.
Led by Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, the Super Eagles have scored in every AFCON match since 2021 and remain a strong attacking side.
Both of Uganda's goals at the tournament have been scored by substitutes, with Denis Omedi involved in each.
However, history is not on their side, as Uganda have only won their final group game at AFCON once, back in 1978.