The Uganda Cranes squad rally for a match
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The wait, the mathematics of the Uganda Cranes qualifying for Africa’s most prestigious football competition is finally over.
The Uganda Cranes’ qualification for the 35th edition of the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, was sealed when South Sudan beat Congo Brazzaville 3-2 win in Juba on Thursday.
This result left the third-placed Red Devils of Congo on 4 points with no chance of surpassing either Uganda or South Africa, who are on 10 and 8 points, respectively.
A draw in their upcoming match against South Africa would have pushed Uganda to 11 points, guaranteeing qualification by making it mathematically impossible for a third team to catch up.
The Cranes are making their return to the continental tournament since their last appearance in 2019 in Egypt.
Participation in next year’s tournament will mark Uganda’s eighth AFCON appearance, with previous participations in 1962, 1968, 1974, 1976, 1978, 2017, and 2019. Uganda’s best AFCON performance came in 1978 when they finished as runners-up in Ghana.
The much anticipated news makes Uganda join other qualified teams, including host nations Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, DR Congo, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and South Africa.
Members of the Uganda Cranes celebrate a goal in a recent match
The wins for South Sudan means Uganda and South Africa who face-off on Friday have both qualified before playing their remaining two matches.
Uganda top Group K with 10 points, while South Africa is second with 10 points. The two automatically qualify because even with wins in their last matches South Sudan and Congo Brazzaville cannot pick the number of points Uganda and South Africa have already collected.
It should be recalled that the Uganda Cranes started their campaign with a 2-2 away draw against South Africa, and beat Congo Brazzaville 2-0 in Kampala. The Cranes again saw off South Sudan 1-0 in Kampala, and also collected a hard fought 2-1 away win against the same team in Juba.
