Uganda Eyes Long-Awaited AFCON Return as Confidence Grows Ahead of Qualifying Draw
Uganda’s national football team, the Cranes, is setting its sights firmly on a long-awaited return to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with head coach Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojević declaring the team ready to face any challenge ahead of the 2025 qualifiers.
The East African nation has not qualified for the continental tournament since its historic run to the final in 1978, where it finished runners-up. Since then, the Cranes have come close on several occasions, including a painful miss during the 2012 qualifiers, but have ultimately fallen short.
This time, however, there is renewed optimism.
“We are ready to face any opponent,” said Micho, speaking with defiance and belief. The Serbian tactician, who has been at the helm during multiple qualification campaigns, believes Uganda is better prepared than ever to break its decades-long absence from Africa’s premier football competition.
The 2012 qualifying campaign ended in heartbreak for Uganda. A 2-0 defeat in Angola on the penultimate matchday was followed by a goalless draw at home against Kenya — a result that saw Angola clinch the group’s top spot and deny Uganda qualification at the final hurdle. That experience still lingers, but it has also forged a more determined and resilient squad.
Since then, Uganda has kept a busy and strategic schedule. The Cranes participated in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the CECAFA regional tournament, and the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which is exclusively for players active in their domestic leagues. According to Micho, these competitions have helped the team gain valuable experience and cohesion.
“All these tournaments allowed us to build a solid, experienced team that is reaching maturity. It must reap the rewards,” he said, acknowledging that past challenges have helped shape the current squad. “We know that it is not enough to clap our hands to succeed, but we now have serious assets.”
The Cranes will discover their qualifying group on Sunday, April 27, when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) conducts the draw at its headquarters in Cairo. With a mature squad and renewed determination, Uganda is approaching the qualifiers with the belief that this time, the long wait could finally come to an end.
Whether facing continental giants or underdogs, the message from Kampala is clear: Uganda is no longer content with near-misses. The Cranes want to fly to Morocco — and they believe they can.
