Uganda coach Paul Put: 'We must believe in ourselves' ahead of tough group
Uganda head coach Paul Put has called on his players to seize the opportunity and prove themselves at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, after the Cranes were drawn into Group C alongside Nigeria, Tunisia, and Tanzania.
Following the draw, the Belgian tactician acknowledged the tough challenge ahead, facing Nigeria, runners-up at the last AFCON, and Tunisia, a consistent tournament performer, but insisted his team must believe in their ability to compete.
With Uganda set to co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Kenya and Tanzania, Put believes AFCON 2025 will serve as an important test for the team's growth and ambitions.
'We know there are no easy games in Africa,' Put said.
'We are facing Nigeria, the finalists in the last AFCON, and Tunisia, a stable country that always performs well and regularly reaches the quarter-finals. But I think we have to believe in ourselves and take this opportunity.'
For Uganda, this marks their eighth appearance at the AFCON finals, having last featured in 2019, where they reached the Round of 16 before losing to Senegal.
The Cranes' best-ever finish came in 1978, when they reached the final, losing to Ghana.
Put emphasized that preparation and team shape will be crucial for Uganda's performance at the tournament, which kicks off on December 21, 2025.
'We have to prepare ourselves and be ready to play,' he said.
'We know that in 2027, we will be hosting the tournament, so this is a great opportunity for our players to showcase their talent and give something to the public of Uganda.'
With East African rivals Tanzania also in Group C, the match between the two AFCON 2027 co-hosts will be one of the tournament's standout fixtures, as both nations seek regional supremacy on the continental stage.
Uganda's AFCON history includes some iconic moments, such as their biggest victory, a 3-0 win over Morocco in 1978, and standout players like Phillip Omondi and Stanley Mubiru, who remain the team's all-time top scorers at AFCON with three goals each.
While expectations may not be as high as Nigeria or Tunisia, Put remains optimistic that Uganda can make an impact and take valuable lessons from Morocco ahead of their historic role as tournament hosts in 2027.
With a challenging group ahead, Uganda is determined to prove themselves on the continental stage, keeping an eye on both immediate success and long-term development.
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