Uganda Cranes head coach, Paul Put, believes that matching the performance, spirit, and mentality shown against Tanzania will give his team a real chance to upset Nigeria in their crucial Group C match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Fes tonight.
Uganda enters this match knowing that only a win over the already-qualified Super Eagles can keep their knockout hopes alive. Currently at the bottom of the group with one point, the Cranes need maximum points to improve their chances of being among the four best third-placed teams.
Put, who led Burkina Faso to the AFCON final in 2013 before losing to Nigeria, recognized the challenge ahead but emphasised that his players have the belief needed to compete. We are facing a very good team that played in the last final and has performed well, collecting maximum points so far,” Put told the press at the Complexe Sportif des Fes.
“I know the players have no choice but to give their best. It is going to be hard, it is going to be difficult, but in football, anything is possible,” he added.
The Belgian coach repeatedly referenced Uganda’s performance in the 1-1 draw with Tanzania, seeing it as the standard for the must-win match against Nigeria.
“Against Tanzania, I think we played well. Unfortunately, we didn’t win, but that gives you a good feeling to face Nigeria because you need to come on the field feeling good and confident. If you are not confident, you can’t take on a good team like Nigeria without those elements; it’s always complicated. The performance was good, the spirit was there, and the mentality was strong, so I believe the players need to reach that level again against Tanzania.”
Put said that confidence is echoed in the dressing room by centre back Jordan Obita.
“The team spirit is very high,” Obita said. “In the last game, we had a big chance to win, but it didn’t happen…we know we have to win [today]. We go in with belief and no fear, and that is our approach.”
Uganda also draws inspiration from history. The Cranes have a solid record against the Super Eagles and famously won their only AFCON match 2–1 in 1978, a tournament where Uganda reached the final.
Overall, the two teams have met eight times at senior level, with Uganda winning four, Nigeria winning two, and two matches ending in draws. Another intriguing subplot is striker Uchechukwu Ikpeazu, who has ties to both countries.
Born in London to a Nigerian father and a Ugandan mother, Ikpeazu switched allegiance to Uganda in 2021 and received his first cap in September. Heading into the Nigeria match, he felt confident after scoring a late equaliser in the draw against Tanzania, marking his second goal for the Cranes.
“It keeps our hopes of qualifying out of the group alive, and obviously, we want to win,” Ikpeazu said.
“I’m half Nigerian, that’s where my dad is from. There’s an emotional attachment, but I also feel connected to Uganda. I play for Uganda, so I’m hoping to beat Nigeria. If I score, that would be amazing, but the most important thing is to earn the full points.” Ikpeazu, who plays at St. Johnstone, said that participating and scoring at AFCON has fulfilled a lifelong dream.
“I am really excited to score at the Africa Cup of Nations,” he said after “If I could dedicate the goal, I would give it to my grandparents on my mom’s side, who are no longer here. If they knew their grandson scored at a major tournament to help Uganda get a point against Tanzania in Morocco, I think they’d be proud.”
As Uganda makes its eighth AFCON appearance, still seeking a first knockout berth since finishing as runners-up in 1978, Put’s message remains clear.
Confidence, belief, and repeating the performance against Tanzania are the Cranes’ best tools as they step onto the pitch in Fes, knowing that anything less than a victory will end their campaign.
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