Uganda Coach Backs Team To Challenge Super Eagles At 2025 AFCON

30 Oct 2025, 13:16 by Ernest Victor · Naija News

Uganda coach Paul Put believes his side will be ready to take on the Super Eagles of Nigeria when the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco.

The Cranes have been drawn into a tough Group C that also includes Nigeria, Tunisia and East African rivals Tanzania. While many expect the Super Eagles and Tunisia to dominate, Put insists Uganda will not be intimidated by their more experienced opponents.

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

The Belgian tactician knows what it takes to compete at the highest level on the continent. He guided Burkina Faso to the 2013 AFCON final, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Nigeria. Now, he hopes to repeat that level of competitiveness with Uganda, a team returning to the tournament for the first time since 2019.

Uganda’s previous AFCON campaign ended in the Round of 16, but since then, the Cranes have been rebuilding steadily under Put, who took charge in 2023.

They will begin their 2025 AFCON journey against Tunisia on December 23 before facing Tanzania and Nigeria.