Latest news with #PaulPut
CAF
19-03-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Paul Put: 'You do not get many chances to qualify for a World Cup'
Qualification to the FIFA World Cup is a tough assignment that requires a nation to seize its opportunities and not leave anything to chance. These were the sentiments shared by Uganda head coach; Paul Put ahead of the Uganda Cranes' FIFA World Cup qualifiers clashes this week. The East Africans, who successfully secured their ticket to Morocco for the biggest football spectacle in Africa are now eyeing a place at the FIFA World Cup. Currently fifth in a tough Group G of the qualifiers, the Uganda Cranes take on Mozambique in Cairo on Thursday, 20 March and play host to Guinea in Kampala next Tuesday in two crucial clashes that could see them move up the group standings. Speaking ahead of the two encounters, the former Burkina Faso and Congo head coach emphasised the importance of Uganda taking up this opportunity and leaving nothing to chance, as qualification to a World Cup does not come too often, he says. 'Every game is crucial. You do not get many chances to qualify for a World Cup in your career. I have been close before and when you are close, you want more. Uganda must push forward and stay focused', said Put. Speaking on the two opponents Mozambique, who are second behind Algeria as well as Guinea who are tied on points with them, Put said no team is to be underestimated and that they would need to be well prepared. 'You cannot underestimate any African team. In World Cup qualifiers, opportunities are scarce, so we must be well-prepared. Our players understand that these chances are rare in their careers. I do not like to overthink. We performed well away in the AFCON qualifiers, and we should maintain that level. At home, we need to make a difference. The key is to focus on our game rather than stressing over numbers', concluded the coach. With qualification to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations officially secured, Uganda will be hoping to secure their first ever FIFA World Cup qualification.
CAF
05-02-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025: East Africa's time to rise
Special focus will be on East Africa's performance at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, as the region continues to attract attention as hosts of this year's TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship as well as the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2027. The Ugandan Cranes alongside the Taifa Stars of Tanzania are the two East African representatives at this year's TotalEnergies CAF AFCON finals set to take place between 21 December 2025 – 18 January 2026. Interestingly, both nations find themselves in a tough Group C that has them pitted against three-time champions, Nigeria as well as 2004 winners, Tunisia. As co-hosts of two of major CAF competitions alongside Kenya, the two nations' performance in Morocco will be under huge scrutiny from not only their fans, but the continent as a whole. The Morocco finals will be just months after their respective hosting of the TotalEnergies CAF CHAN finals, a tournament that will be key for Paul Put (Uganda Coach) and Hemed Suleiman Ali's (Tanzania Coach) charges in preparation for Morocco. Between the two nations, Uganda has had the better showing, with the Morocco finals set to be their eighth. The Uganda Cranes were agonisingly close to being crowned African champions in their fifth appearance back in 1978 where they were edged 2-0 in the final by Ghana in Accra. Since then, Uganda endured a lengthy wait to their next appearance, which only came in the 2017 Gabon edition where they bowed out in the group stages, as well as the 2019 Egypt finals where they could not go past the Round of 16. For the Tafia Stars, who's clubs Simba SC and Young Africans SC have done exceptionally well in CAF Inter-club competitions in recent years – they will be making their fourth TotalEnergies CAF AFCON appearance. Their previous three appearances (1980, 2019, 2023) have all concluded in the group stages. While Nigeria and Tunisia are worthy title contenders, Uganda and Tanzania carry the hopes of the East African region and will both be looking at taking the coveted TotalEnergies CAF AFCON title back to East African soil for the very first time since Ethiopia's 1962 triumph as hosts.
CAF
31-01-2025
- Sport
- CAF
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.
CAF
30-01-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Put Reflects on Cranes' TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025 Draw
Uganda's head coach, Paul Put has shared his thoughts on the Cranes' draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, where they will face tough opposition in Group C. Along with their East African counterparts Tanzania, Uganda - with whom they will co-host the 2027 edition, are set to go head-to-head with Tunisia and Nigeria, two teams with a rich history in African football. "We know there are no easy games in Africa," Put stated in response to the draw. "We are facing Nigeria, who were the finalists in the last AFCON. Tunisia, on the other hand, is a stable country always performing well and regularly reaching the quarter-finals. But I think we have to believe in ourselves and take this opportunity', said Put. The Belgian tactician emphasized that Uganda's success in the competition will depend on their preparation and the strength of their team's shape. "We have to prepare ourselves and be ready to play. 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," he added. Uganda has a rich history in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, having made seven appearances in the prestigious tournament since their debut in 1962. Their best-ever finish came in 1978 when they reached the final, only to be beaten by Ghana. Despite the loss, their run to the final remains one of the most remarkable achievements in the country's footballing history. The Cranes' journey through the tournament has seen some memorable moments, including their biggest victory – a 3-0 win over Morocco in 1978 – and their biggest defeat, a heavy loss to Algeria in 1968. Throughout the years, players like Stanley Mubiru and Phillip Omondi have been key figures, both holding the title of the Cranes' all-time leading goal scorers with three goals each at the finals. As Uganda looks ahead to Morocco, the team will aim to build on their rich legacy and use their participation as a springboard for success, both in this tournament and as co-hosts of the 2027 edition. With a challenging group ahead, the Cranes are focused on proving themselves on the continental stage, all while keeping their eyes on the future.
