With a couple of days left to the all-important fixture against South Africa, Uganda Cranes have intensified preparations to ready themselves.

Uganda Cranes take on Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Friday 06 September 2024 at the Orlando Stadium when the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers kick off this week.

Uganda is in Group K with the 2023 AFCON semi finalists South Africa, Congo and neighbours South Sudan. The Uganda Cranes will be aiming to get off to a positive start to better their chances of qualification and put a stop to a frustrating run that has seen the soccer crazy country miss out on the past two editions (Cameroon 2021 and Ivory Coast 2023).

The two teams that will top the group at the end of the qualification matches that conclude in November will book their places at the final tournament that will be hosted in Morocco.

“I have been to 5 (five) AFCON finals and I want to add to that number with this team. You are a group of young and undoubtedly very talented players. You have what it takes to qualify but you need to work hard for it because it will not be given to you just like that. You will have to fight for the right to be in Morocco next year and the fight starts this Friday against South Africa,” coach Paul Put told his charges after Wednesday’s training session at the Balfor football club training ground in Johannesburg.

“I love what I am seeing so far; the energy, teamwork and the positive spirit. These will be very crucial in this fight.”

The first Uganda Cranes contingent consisting of majorly locally based players arrived in Johannesburg on Saturday afternoon and for a training camp that was aimed at helping the team adjust to the cold weather.

The group that is camped at the Red Radison hotel in Rosebank has since been joined by all the professional players that Put summoned.

After facing South Africa on the Friday 6th, the Cranes will shift focus onto the home fixture against Congo Two days later in Kampala at the Mandela national stadium, Namboole.