AFCON 2025 Build Up
- AS FAR 2-2 Uganda Cranes
Uganda Cranes offered an encouraging glimpse of what may lie ahead at AFCON 2025 after battling Moroccan giants AS FAR Rabat to a lively 2–2 draw on Saturday night at the Maamora Stadium in Rabat.
Against a battle hardened CAF Champions League side, the Cranes showed courage and composure, standing toe to toe with North African opposition in a test that gave head coach Paul Put plenty to reflect on.
Uganda made the brighter start and were rewarded in the 18th minute when Denis Omedi finished off a slick move to put the Cranes ahead.
It was a confident opening spell, marked by sharp passing and a willingness to play on the front foot.
Put’s biggest gamble was handing a start to teenage debutant James Bogere, fresh from the U17 World Cup in Qatar.
Wearing number 15, Bogere played beyond his years, linking well with Travis Mutyaba and Bobosi Byaruhanga and troubling the AS FAR defence.
He went close twice, denied once by the goalkeeper and again by the narrowest of margins.
AS FAR showed their class late in the half when Heda Slim equalised in the 44th minute. After the break, the hosts briefly seized control as Haddraf Fatah fired them ahead in the 59th minute.
Uganda refused to panic. The response was swift and assured, and in the 68th minute Ivan Ahimbisibwe struck the equaliser to cap a spirited fightback and keep the contest level.
Put drew positives from the performance, especially before the interval.
“We played with courage and a strong mentality. The first half was good and we created chances,” he said.
“The second half ball situation was not good, but we will improve.”
He also singled out Bogere for praise. “He played well. He is still learning and needs a bit more maturity, but he creates chances. Bobosi and Mutyaba were very determined.”
Omedi described the match as ideal preparation.
“These are the games we wanted,” he said.
“It was very hard. This is a Champions League team, one of the big clubs in Morocco. The physical battles and missed chances are things we will work on.”
The draw, though against a club side, gave the Cranes a valuable taste of North African intensity.
Uganda now turn their focus to a final friendly against Gabon on Wednesday, December 17, before attention fully shifts to AFCON.
Uganda are drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania and Nigeria. They open their campaign against Tunisia on December 23, face Tanzania on December 27, and conclude the group stage against Nigeria three days later.
