Cranes gear up for Group C battles with Tunisia, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

AFCON 2025

Uganda, Nigeria’s Group C opponents, have commenced the final phase of preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Casablanca, Morocco, ahead of the tournament running from December 21 to January 18, 2026.

Led by coach Paul Put and his technical team, the Uganda Cranes departed Entebbe International Airport on Sunday evening via Qatar Airways flight QR1384. 17 players have already joined the camp, while the remaining 13 will arrive from their respective clubs. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) has also sent 17 officials to oversee the preparations.

The team will play two friendly matches before the tournament. Put’s 30-man provisional squad includes Uchechukwu Ikpeazu, a 30-year-old forward of Nigerian descent playing for St. Johnstone, veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango, and teenage prospect James Bogere, called up after standout performances at the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Mato Rogers, who has scored 15 goals in 17 matches for FK Vardar this season, leads the attack, while Baba Alhassan and Melvyn Lorenzen return after impressive November friendlies.

In line with CAF regulations, Put is expected to cut just two players, though more adjustments could occur depending on final plans.

Uganda will open their AFCON campaign against Tunisia on December 23, before facing Nigeria and Tanzania in what is considered one of the tournament’s most competitive groups. Despite Nigeria’s star-studded lineup, Put insists his side will not be intimidated.

“Nigeria are a perennial powerhouse. There are threats everywhere from their squad, with top talent and European experience. We will respect all of them, but we are not intimidated. We will give a good account of ourselves,” Put told CAFOnline.com.

The Cranes’ appearance in Morocco marks their eighth AFCON participation and their first since 2019. Their best performance remains the 1978 final, where they finished runners-up to Ghana.