Uganda Cranes has secured their place in the 35th edition of the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, set to take place in Morocco.
The Cranes clinched their qualification with two games still remaining, including an upcoming home fixture against South Africa tomorrow, Friday at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Uganda’s qualification was guaranteed thanks to South Sudan’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Congo in Juba this evening. This result left Congo with only 4 points, meaning they can no longer catch up to Uganda (10 points) or South Africa (8 points) in the group standings.
Before Thursday’s game, the Cranes needed just a single point to officially qualify. A draw against South Africa would have pushed Uganda’s total to 11 points, making it mathematically impossible for a third team to surpass them in Group K. However, with Congo now out of contention, Uganda’s AFCON ticket is secured, regardless of the outcome of the remaining fixtures.
This qualification marks Uganda’s eighth appearance at AFCON, with previous campaigns in 1962, 1968, 1974, 1976, 1978, 2017, and 2019. The Cranes’ best performance came in 1978, when they finished as runners-up in Ghana. Their return to the continental stage since their last outing in 2019 in Egypt brings fresh hope to Ugandan fans eager for another historic run.
Uganda joins a strong lineup of qualified teams, including host Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, DR Congo, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and South Africa.
