Uganda Cranes Head Coach Paul Joseph Put has expressed his satisfaction with the team’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification group, calling it “fair and playable”.
The Cranes were drawn in Group K alongside South Africa, Congo Brazzaville, and South Sudan during the draw held in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday. Uganda is seeking to return to the prestigious tournament after missing out on the last two editions.
In an interview on FUFA TV, Put said, “I think it’s a fair group, and I know there are no easy games, but I believe the opponents are playable.”
He added, “You can’t underestimate any team, but I think we can perform well, and we shall prepare ourselves with optimism for qualification.”
Put, who took charge of his first competitive games with the Cranes during the recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, called upon the fans to support the team, which last played at the AFCON finals in 2019 in Egypt.
“I am requesting the supporters to have belief in the team like they did against Botswana and Algeria because their support was unbelievable,” he said.
The qualifiers will begin in September and be played over three international windows, concluding in November. The Cranes will kick off their campaign against South Africa away.
The 2025 AFCON finals will be hosted in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
