Paul Put spoke with honesty of a coach who understands both the challenge ahead and what it demands.
Ahead of Uganda Cranes’ decisive Group C meeting with Nigeria, the Belgian made no attempt to dress up the task.
“We know we are facing a very good team,” Put said. “They were finalists at the last AFCON and they have taken maximum points so far. They are strong.”
That assessment sets the tone as Uganda prepare to face the Super Eagles on Tuesday evening in Rabat, knowing their hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations hang in the balance.
After returning to the tournament in 2019 and reaching the last 16, the Cranes are once again fighting to stay alive, though the margins are tighter this time.
Uganda have one point from two matches. They opened their campaign with a 3–1 defeat to Tunisia, Denis Omedi scoring their lone goal.
A spirited display followed against neighbours Tanzania, where a late Karl Uchechukwu Ikpeazu Mubiru strike earned a 1–1 draw after Saimon Msuva had given the Taifa Stars the lead.
With automatic qualification slipping away, Uganda are now chasing a place among the best third-placed teams.
That makes the Nigeria match a defining moment rather than just another group fixture.
“But anyway, we play Nigeria, and we know why we have to play,” Put said. “If we want to change something, we have to get a good result. There is no other solution. The players must give their best.”
Nigeria arrive at the Fez Stadium full of confidence. Wins over Tanzania (2–1) and Tunisia (3–2) have put them top of the group with six points.
Ademola Lookman has led the charge, scoring in both games and continuing a fine AFCON run that has seen him involved in eight goals across his last nine appearances.
And it is not just Lookman, Alex Iwobi has pulled the strings, supplying two assists against Tanzania, while Victor Osimhen’s goal against Tunisia underlined the depth and balance of a side determined to finish the group in control.
Still, Put believes football always leaves space for hope.
“It’s going to be hard, it’s going to be difficult,” he said. “But in football, everything is possible.”
With the Cranes preparing to test that belief against Africa’s three time champions, the stakes could hardly be higher.
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At the same time, Tunisia face Tanzania, a result that may yet decide how Uganda’s AFCON journey unfolds.
