Namboole set for celebration as Uganda Cranes prepare for AFCON 2025

Africa Cup of Nations

Qualifiers

Group K

Thursday result

S. Sudan 3 Congo 2

Friday, 4pm

Uganda v S. Africa

Preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals for Uganda have begun. Friday’s match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, is the first warm-up for the Cranes. It remains to be seen how competitive the affair will be.

After all, it will be a celebration for both teams, who booked their tickets to Morocco after South Sudan defeated third-placed Congo 3-2 in Juba yesterday, ending Congo’s chances of qualification.

The Uganda Cranes are returning to the AFCON finals after a five-year absence. Paul Put’s side should expect a standing ovation today at Namboole from fans for getting the job done with two games to spare in the qualifying campaign.

The Cranes’ last AFCON appearance was in 2019 in Cairo, where they reached the round of 16 under then-coach Sébastien Desabre before being eliminated by Senegal.

Since then, Uganda missed out on the 2021 and 2023 finals, held in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, respectively.

Now under Belgian tactician Paul Put, who took over in November last year from Serbian Milutin Sredojević, the team has delivered an impressive qualifying campaign. They remain unbeaten with three wins and one draw, placing them at the top of Group K with 10 points.

The atmosphere among Cranes fans is one of optimism, with high expectations that their national team will capitalize on their strong home advantage to maintain their perfect home record in this qualifying campaign after wins over Congo (2-0) and South Sudan (1-0).

South Africa’s coach Hugo Broos acknowledged the importance of this match, noting that as bronze medallists from the last AFCON finals, they need to finish the qualifying campaign strong.

Two points separate the two sides. South Africa, in second place with eight points, knows that a win over Uganda guarantees them the top spot, and vice versa for Uganda.

South African players will also need a good result to calm their doubting fans, who have criticized their team for average performances throughout the qualifying campaign against opponents they felt were easy to beat.

The 2-2 draw against Uganda in Johannesburg, a 1-1 draw against Congo in Brazzaville, and a hard-fought 3-2 win over South Sudan in Juba are some of the results that did not please South African fans.

During Uganda’s previous encounter with South Africa in September, the Cranes showed vulnerabilities in midfield. To get a favorable result today, coach Put will need to tighten this area.

SC Villa captain Ronald Ssekiganda, who started alongside Khalid Aucho in midfield, struggled against South Africa’s experienced duo of Teboho Mokoena and Maphosa Modiba.

Fortunately for Uganda, experienced midfielder Tadeo Lwanga, who was absent in that match, is available and is expected to start in the defensive midfield role alongside Aucho.