On Tuesday, December 23, Uganda opened its account in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) against Tunisia with a 3-1 loss. It is the third time in the last five editions that Uganda is part of the competition.
The last time Uganda competed at this stage was back in 2019 when Egypt hosted the tournament. However, before that tournament started, Allan Okello, aged 18 then, was arguably the biggest prospect in Ugandan football at the time.
Apparently, then Cranes coach, the Frenchman Sebastian Desabre wanted him in his Cranes squad. But then, the youngster was reportedly heading to Switzerland for trials. Okello did not join Swiss football and at the same time, missed a chance to play at Africa’s greatest football showpiece.
But he soon joined the Algerian topflight at AC Paradou in early 2020. Two years later, he returned home, perhaps to re-launch himself at his parent club, KCCA FC. But he has since moved on, and right now, he is in his third season at Vipers SC.
In the 2024/25 domestic season, Okello was not only the best player in it. He was the Uganda Premier League top-scorer with 19 goals. With his form continuing into the Africa Nations Championships (Chan) in August, where he scored four goals for The Cranes, Okello is the most talked about player in Ugandan football today.
As a result of that, the Afcon could not have come at a better time for him to live up to the billing, that at one time, had former Uganda Cranes coach, Mike Mutebi suggesting that Okello is the new Jackson Mayanja.
While Mayanja played for El-Masry in Egypt and Club Esperance of Tunisia between 1992 and 1997, which was a more protracted period than what Okello spent in North Africa, this Afcon appears to be the proverbial goose that laid the golden egg for the youthful attacker.
Before the 2025 Afcon started, debates were making rounds about whether Okello would be a starter for The Cranes. While Okello appears to have overtaken his more younger competitor, Travis Mutyaba for the number 10 role over the last one year, recently, Cranes coach Paul Put got a new selection headache.
The return of Melvyn Lorenzen to The Cranes fold was a major surprise. Lorenzen can operate on both wings, but also as a number 10. In fact, he also played well in the build-up games against Chad and Morocco during the November international football window, scoring against the former.
Nonetheless, whatever Put’s selection choices will be throughout the 2025 Afcon, for Okello, this is his time to shine in order for his next big move to happen.
In an interview with former Cranes coach Moses Basena recently, he said: “We all see Okello as the ideal game changer. And for The Cranes to have him, it reminds me of our time while coaching the team, when we had Farouk Miya. Miya smelt space, got in there, and pounced on almost every scoring opportunity that came to him.”
It is in the same breath that Basena sees Okello especially because he is now more mature, and therefore his game understanding has improved. But that also comes with more responsibilities.
During the Chan tournament, however, Okello was criticized for being in and out of games. He seemed to shun the calling of taking charge, something that top players do.
FOOTBALL SCOUTS
Giving up the captain’s armband then, did not seem to augur well with many of his fans. His coach then, Morley Byekwaso noted that the armband weighed him down, hence inhibited him from playing with more freedom.
Whatever the case may have been, top players shine through difficulty and hard times because it is then that they showcase character and fortitude. At his club, Vipers, one of the things that Okello’s coaches did to enable him thrive after a below par display in the 2023/24 season, was to field him in his favourite number 10 role behind the striker.
He executed the role well even with the armband on, whenever Milton Karisa was unavailable for different reasons. In light of that, Basena noted that players who become invaluable for their teams, have got to shut out the outside noise, and believe in themselves.
“When we had the late Majid Musisi, for every game we went to, we were sure of a goal. He had no fear for any opponent, yet was extremely self-assured of his ability. That was key to his success. One could say the same of former Cranes captain, David Obua,” Basena said.
Right now, the call is on the Okello of Vipers being the one that shows up for Uganda. First for his team, but then secondly, for himself. The Afcon is a stage that attracts a host of football scouts, and once Okello hits the right codes, it is difficult for the continent and the rest of the world to notice.
Without a doubt, Okello needs to be strong and bold like those who went before him. During the 2019 Afcon in Egypt, a host of Cranes players, who were under French coach Sebastian Desabre ceased the moment.
Opportunities to greener pastures for Khalid Aucho, Taddeo Lwanga, Allan Kyambadde, Abdu Lumala, and Patrick Kaddu came in gift wraps. No reason why the same cannot happen for Okello!
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