Congo Hold Bafana to Keep Cranes Waiting
With 10 points from four games, Uganda are guaranteed to qualify should South Africa, on seven points, beat Congo in Tuesday's late game.
Uganda will have to do it themselves come November 11 at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, to qualify for the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Cranes, smarting from a sweet 2-1 victory in South Sudan, were counting on Bafana Bafana's luck in Congo Brazzaville but a barren draw kept the hosts in the frame in Group K.
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With 10 points from four games, Uganda is in prime position to qualify. They need just a point from the two games against South Africa at home and Congo away to return to the table of men.
Cameroon was the first team to secure their AFCON spot after defeating Kenya 1-0 at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole on Monday, in Group J.
They were soon joined by Algeria (Group E), Burkina Faso, and Senegal (Group L).
DR Congo, Angola, Egypt, and Morocco could all join Uganda in celebrating qualification tonight.
Paul Put Fixes Cranes
The appointment of Belgian coach Paul Put, who replaced Serbian Micho Sredojevic, was initially met with skepticism due to Put's past involvement in match-fixing scandals with Belgian club Liese.
However, Uganda needed a turnaround after Micho’s disappointing second stint with the national team, despite his earlier success in leading the Cranes to the AFCON finals in 2017 after a 38-year absence.
Paul Put, however, remained focused on results rather than his controversial past, and his tenure has steadily restored faith in the Cranes.
The 58-year-old coach previously led Burkina Faso to the 2013 AFCON final, where they lost to Nigeria.
His experience and tactical approach began to show positive signs when Uganda delivered an exciting performance in a 2-2 draw against South Africa in September.
Strikers Denis Omedi and Rogers Mato were key figures in that match, with their powerful shots causing trouble for the Bafana Bafana.
StarTimes Uganda Premier League side Kitara's Denis Omedi was once again the hero in Uganda's 2-1 victory over South Sudan, opening the scoring in the 15th minute.
Although Yohanna Juma equalized for South Sudan just six minutes later, Uganda regained the lead in the 66th minute after Alfred Leku inadvertently scored an own goal.
Since taking charge in November, Paul Put has led Uganda to six wins, two draws, and three losses.
His leadership has rejuvenated the Cranes and brought fans back to Namboole Stadium, which had seen dwindling numbers due to dissatisfaction with the team’s style of play.
As the Cranes near AFCON qualification, Put’s impact on Uganda’s football journey is becoming increasingly evident.
