In thrilling news for football fans, Uganda Cranes have officially qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be held in Morocco.
The confirmation came after South Sudan’s intense 3-2 victory over Congo Brazzaville on Thursday evening—a result that effectively sealed Uganda’s place in the continental tournament.
The victory by South Sudan means Congo Brazzaville is now stuck at four points with only one game remaining, eliminating any chance for them to overtake Uganda (10 points) or South Africa (8 points) in the qualifying group.
With this result, Uganda has earned a long-awaited return to Africa’s biggest football event after a five-year absence, marking their eighth AFCON appearance.
Excitement is palpable in Kampala, where fans are celebrating the Cranes’ return to the tournament, especially after the challenges faced during the qualification journey.
The Ugandan squad, led by coach Paul Put, now heads into the match against South Africa with a sense of relief and pride, knowing their qualification is secure.
Although the upcoming game is technically less critical, the team is expected to give it their all, aiming for bragging rights and to end the qualifiers on a high note.
With this achievement, Uganda joins a growing list of teams confirmed for AFCON 2025, including Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, DR Congo, Egypt, and South Africa. This milestone adds to Uganda’s storied AFCON history, having previously qualified in 1962, 1968, 1974, 1976, 1978, 2017, and 2019.
The Cranes’ qualification is an exciting moment for Ugandan football, as the nation looks forward to supporting their team on the grand stage once again.
