Fact File — Uganda Cranes
Nickname: The Cranes
AFCON Appearances: 8
Titles: None
Best Finish: Runners-up (1978)
FIFA Ranking: 85 (As of November 2025)
Head Coach: Paul Put
Rabat, Morocco: Uganda Cranes head into the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco facing a demanding Group C as they seek to make a competitive statement in their eighth appearance at the continental tournament.
Uganda will open its AFCON campaign against Tunisia on December 23, face Tanzania on December 27, and wrap up group action against Nigeria on December 30.
The Cranes squad blends experience and emerging talent, with attackers Rodgers Mato, James Bogere and creative midfielder Allan Okello expected to shoulder much of the attacking responsibility.
Seventeen-year-old James Bogere, recently signed by Denmark’s AGF Bold, arrives as one of Uganda’s most promising prospects.
The teenage forward has scored 14 goals in 15 matches for the Uganda Cubs across major youth tournaments, including seven goals at the CAF U17 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers in Uganda, three at the CAF U17 AFCON in Morocco, two at the Dubai Youth Challenge, and two at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar.
“Scoring goals is my duty, but they only matter when they help the team win,” Bogere said.
Allan Okello brings creativity and goal threat from midfield, while Rodgers Mato, who scored three goals during AFCON qualifiers, provides pace and direct attacking play. Denis Omedi and captain Khalid Aucho add experience and leadership to the side.
Defensively, the Cranes are anchored by Elio Caprodosi, John Obita, Toby Sibbick, Abdu Azizi Kayondo and David Owori, while Baba Alhassan and Melvyn Lorenzen offer attacking reinforcements.
Uganda qualified for AFCON 2025 as group runners-up, finishing just one point behind South Africa. Their best-ever AFCON performance remains the 1978 tournament, where they reached the final but lost to Ghana.
Head coach Paul Put has prioritised discipline, teamwork and tactical organisation. The Belgian tactician favours a 4-2-3-1 formation that balances defensive solidity with attacking width.
Put, who led Burkina Faso to their first-ever AFCON final in 2013 and coached Guinea at the 2019 tournament, has revitalised the Cranes since his appointment in 2023, guiding them to AFCON qualification and improving their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign.
Group C Opponents at a Glance
Nigeria – Super Eagles
Nigeria have qualified for 21 AFCON tournaments and won the title three times (1980, 1994, 2013). They topped their qualifying group, with star striker Victor Osimhen expected to be decisive.
Tunisia – Carthage Eagles
Tunisia have appeared at AFCON 22 times, winning the title once in 2004. They finished second in their qualifying group behind Comoros and boast key players Ellyes Skhiri, Hannibal Mejbri and Ferjani Sassi.
Tanzania – Taifa Stars
Tanzania are making their fifth AFCON appearance and are yet to progress beyond the group stage. Led by coach Miguel Gamondi, the Taifa Stars will rely on Simon Msuva, Feisal Salum and Novatus Miroshi as they target a historic breakthrough.
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