Uganda open AFCON 2025 camp in Casablanca

File photo: AFCON 2025

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Nigeria’s Group C opponents, Uganda, have begun their final phase of preparations in Casablanca, Morocco, ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be played from December 21 to January 18, 2026, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Led by coach Paul Put, assistant coach Fred Muhumuza, and the full technical and support team, the Uganda Cranes contingent departed Entebbe International Airport on Sunday evening aboard Qatar Airways flight QR1384.

A group of 17 players are already in camp, while the remaining 13 will connect directly to Morocco from their respective clubs. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations also have 17 officials for the assignment.

According to the Federation of Uganda Football Associations, the team will play two friendly matches.

Put had released a 30-man provisional squad before their departure. One of them includes 30-year-old Uchechukwu Ikpeazu of Nigerian descent, who plays for St. Johnstone in Celtic.

Veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango returns as one of four goalkeepers named, while teenage prospect James Bogere earns a first senior call-up after his standout displays at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.

There is further attacking reinforcement with in-form striker Mato Rogers, who has scored 15 goals in 17 matches for FK Vardar this season, leading the forward line.

The squad also features returns for Baba Alhassan and Melvyn Lorenzen, who impressed in Uganda’s November friendlies.

In line with CAF’s new regulations, Put is expected to drop just two players, but it could be more, depending on Uganda’s plans.

Uganda will open their AFCON campaign against Tunisia on December 23 before facing Nigeria and Tanzania in what is considered one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.

Ahead of the tournament, Put has said his team will not be intimidated by Nigeria’s star-studded team.

“Nigeria are a perennial powerhouse. There are threats everywhere from their squad, with top talent and European experience. We will respect all of them, but we are not intimidated. We will give a good account of ourselves,” Put told CAFOnline.com

The Cranes’ appearance in Morocco will mark their eighth overall participation and their first since 2019. Their best performance in the tournament was recorded in 1978 when they reached the final but lost to Ghana

Abiodun, who reports Sports for PUNCH, covers different tiers of the Nigerian football league, the national teams, as well as cricket, in the last six years

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