Uganda Cranes Seeks Redemption

Uganda Cranes kick off their 2025 African Cup of Nations qualification campaign against South Africa on Friday as they try to redeem themselves having missed out on the previous two finals. 

With a game against Congo also on the horizon, Friday’s fixture at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg is hugely important for head coach Paul Put and the team.

It is essential to note that this will be Paul Put’s biggest test, where his strategic decision-making process for such games will be examined. 

He fairly passed the test during the first 2026 World Cup qualifiers, picking a win against Botswana and a loss against Algeria at Namboole stadium.

The 2026 World Cup qualification is a far-fetched dream, however, there is still time for Paul Put to prove us wrong.

AFCON is a different hard paper, one that sent his predecessors packing. Missing out two in a row left a deep wound among Ugandans,  one that led to resenting the Football Association for its poor administrative and managerial decision-making.

There is a big gap between expectation and reality, and the expectation that Uganda Cranes must go guns blazing against South Africa should be revised.

This is a team that Uganda has not defeated in the last five encounters, their recent friendly matchup ended 3-2 in favor of South Africa in Johannesburg. 

Besides, South Africa’s third finish at the 2023 AFCON is indicative of how the nation is slowly rebuilding its footballing identity and becoming a strong force in African football.

Uganda, meanwhile is still deep soul searching and putting puzzles together and Paul Put was entrusted to guide the team to a level where they can compete again. 

One would argue that it's hard to judge him for his first five games considering that the three games were friendlies, against Kuwait, Comoros, and Ghana in Marrakech, Morocco and he had not assembled his team. 

However, against Botswana and Algeria, we got a glimpse of Put’s team, which wants to play great attacking football, defend well, and utilize the overloaded midfield that had Allan Okello, Kenneth Ssemakula, Ronald Ssekiganda, and Steven Mukwala, especially in transition. 

Despite the strength in his 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 formations deployed in both games, the team could not control the game when the position was lost. 

Against South Africa, it will take more than just delighting the audience with good football, but making sure they emerge out as winners.