Uganda Cranes winger Rogers Mato has described his first day at the team’s AFCON 2025 camp in Morocco as a moment he will never forget, a milestone that blends pride, passion, and sheer gratitude.
The young forward, who joined the squad this week, spoke to FUFA about the profound sense of honour he felt stepping onto the training pitch.
“Yeah, it is a dream come true to be a part of this team, this wonderful team, with some experienced players and some upcoming players. I feel grateful, I feel honoured to come and honour my country, it is a pleasure being here,” Mato said.
For Mato, AFCON is far more than just another tournament; it is a stage where emerging talent meets national pride.
“Yeah, it is a good one for us, for the nation and for the upcoming generations, upcoming talents, the rising stars. It is good for us to come and be part of this tournament,” he noted.
Having already tasted European football at the Conference League level, Mato believes the African Cup of Nations stands shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the biggest competitions in the game.
“It is one of the biggest tournaments I have ever played because I have played in the Conference League, which is a big tournament as well. The African Cup of Nations is a big tournament, it is one of the big names in the world, so it is a big tournament and a big achievement for me as a person and for my career,” he said.
The Cranes are gearing up to fine-tune their preparations in Morocco with two high-profile friendlies. Their first challenge comes against Moroccan heavyweights FAR Rabat, currently competing in the CAF Champions League, on 13 December 2025, followed by a second test against Gabon on 17 December 2025.
