The Uganda Cranes begin their quest to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, set to take place in Morocco, with a challenging away match against South Africa this evening. The game will kick off at 7:00 pm (EAT) at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.
This encounter marks the first competitive clash between the two nations since the 2006 World Cup Qualifiers, where South Africa triumphed in both legs.
South Africa, the 1996 AFCON champions, are considered the favourites for this match. However, Uganda Cranes, under the guidance of coach Paul Put, are determined to make a strong start to their campaign. Their goal is to return to the AFCON finals, having last participated in the 2019 tournament in Egypt.
Uganda missed out on the 2023 AFCON after finishing third in their qualifying group with seven points, just one point behind Tanzania, who secured a spot alongside Algeria. A positive result in this opening game is crucial for Put’s team.
The Cranes enter this match following a 2-1 home defeat to Algeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, although they had previously secured a 1-0 victory over Botswana.
Historically, Uganda has struggled against South Africa, having lost all four of their previous encounters since their first meeting in 2004. This includes three losses in regular time and one defeat on penalties during the 2019 COSAFA Cup.
Despite these challenges, the Cranes are optimistic, with players expressing their commitment to securing points from this fixture. Group K also features Congo Brazzaville and South Sudan, adding further significance to this opening match.
How to Watch: In Uganda, the match has not been advertised by any TV channel, including FUFA TV, but it will be available on Azam Sports. In South Africa, fans can watch the game live on SABC Sport and SABC Plus.
