Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put has admitted his side face a daunting challenge against Nigeria but believes spirit, belief and total commitment can still keep their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign alive.
The Cranes go into their final Group C fixture with little room for error. Only a positive result against the Super Eagles will give Uganda a chance of advancing, while Nigeria arrive in ruthless form after claiming maximum points from their first two matches. The West Africans, runners-up at the last AFCON, have already underlined their pedigree in the group and will be heavy favourites heading into the contest.
Despite the odds, Put struck a defiant tone while addressing the media ahead of the match, recognizing Nigeria’s quality but backing his players to rise to the occasion:
“We know we are facing a very good team, who was the finalist in the last AFCON edition. Also performed very well, because they have the maximum of their points. The players are will give their best for tomorrow’s game. It’s going to be hard, it’s going to be difficult, but in football, everything is possible.”
Beyond the immediate stakes, the clash also taps into a rarely revisited chapter of AFCON history. Uganda and Nigeria have met only once before at the finals of the tournament, back in 1978. On that occasion, the Cranes stunned the Super Eagles with a 2–1 victory in the semi-finals, a win that propelled Uganda to the final and remains one of the country’s most cherished football memories.
Looking at the broader head-to-head record across all competitions, the rivalry has been more balanced than many might assume. The two nations have faced each other eight times, with Uganda edging the series with four wins, compared to Nigeria’s two victories, while two matches ended in draws.
As Uganda prepare for another high-stakes encounter with one of Africa’s traditional heavyweights, Put’s message is clear: respect the opponent, but fear no one. For the Cranes, the task is enormous, yet belief remains very much alive.
