Cranes AFCON 2025 Draw: Why Uganda’s Group Is Better Than It Looks

The Cranes AFCON 2025 draw has been completed and with many Ugandan fans worried, Group C is composed of Uganda, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Tanzania, three trigger names that set social media and football forums abuzz. However, is this group that bad? Are the Cranes simply always underestimated?

Let’s break down the tiers and see where Uganda truly falls, assessed against potential contenders for the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

What We Know About Cranes AFCON 2025 Draw

Staged in Morocco earlier this month, the Cranes AFCON 2025 draw certainly had Uganda in a group that many would assume to be dangerously challenging. Nigeria has their stars, Tunisia their history, Tanzania their geographic solidarity.

Here’s Group C:

• Nigeria (Pot 1)
• Tunisia (Pot 2)
• Uganda (Pot 3)
• Tanzania (Pot 4)

On the surface, it looks as if Uganda got drawn into the worst position. But a further analysis reveals that this draw wasn’t as substantial as it could’ve been.

Nigeria: The Expectations of a Giant, But No Need to Fear

Nigeria is always a country of competitive worry. With Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Samuel Chukwueze, it’s safe to say that the Super Eagles are a great  team to watch. They were the AFCON 2023 runners-up, and they’re favored this season to be in the running for the championship, too.

Yet, Nigeria can be beaten. In the last qualifying rounds, Nigeria drew several matches against lower-seeded teams, and aside from a recent 10-game winning streak in 2021, they have also shown inconsistencies in their winning performance. Thus, if Uganda maintains a disciplined tactical approach, the team should be able to at least minimize damage, if not secure a victory.

Recent Form

• 2023 AFCON: Quarterfinalists
• FIFA Ranking (May 2025): 46
• Key Attributes: Possession
• Weakness: Goals, slow buildup

Tunisia: Not a Powerhouse Anymore

The Carthage Eagles are an established name in African football; however, this is not the Tunisia that made it to the World Cup group stages in the early 2000s. This is Tunisia, which recently in AFCON has not performed so well, barely getting past by a qualifying group with Comoros and The Gambia.

If Uganda plays as usual, the Cranes can outpace them with physicality.

Tunisia in Recent Competitions:

• AFCON 2023: Round of 16 exit
• FIFA Ranking (May 2025): 36th
• Notable Weakness: Struggles to break down low blocks
• Key Opportunity: Exploit their lack of pace on the wings.

Tanzania: Same Opponents, Same Requirements

Tanzania is the lowest ranked in the group, but this is a derby match. Uganda and Tanzania have played each other in CECAFA and AFCON qualifiers too many times to count. The Taifa Stars are always motivated when facing the Cranes, but with no depth and no internationally competitive experience at the senior level, it will be a difficult task.  

Last 3 Results Between Uganda and Tanzania:

• 2024 CHAN Qualifier: Uganda 1–0 Tanzania
• 2023 CECAFA Cup: Draw 0–0
• 2022 Friendly: Uganda 2–1 Tanzania

What Could Be Worse? Here’s Why

Critics of the Cranes Afcon 2025 draw often overlook who Uganda could’ve drawn instead:

Pot 1:

• Morocco (host country)
• Ivory Coast (Defending champs)
• Senegal (2021 winners)
• Egypt or Algeria (two teams that dominate Africa)

Nigeria is strong—but they aren’t unbeatable like Morocco at home or Algeria on a hot streak.

Pot 2:

• South Africa (fighting young and hard)
• Mali (great talent in midfield depth)
• Cameroon (big and powerful)
• DR Congo (known for knockout-stage runs)

Tunisia is arguably less of a threat than most of those.

Pot 4 Options:

• Mozambique, Comoros, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana

Tanzania may not be the weakest of Pot 4, but they are some of the most recognizable. Recognition goes a long way in a tournament.

A Historical Background: Cranes in AFCON

Uganda has made a few appearances in AFCON recently, doing wonders with the squad under strict conditions. Their 2019 appearance was most successful, qualifying out of a group with Egypt, DR Congo, and Zimbabwe.

If the Cranes can do wonders with that group, this one is not out of the realm of possibility.

AFCON 2019 Group Standings:

• Uganda 2-0 DR Congo
• Uganda 1-1 Zimbabwe
• Uganda 0-2 Egypt

As a result, the team can compete effectively in situations with more complex dynamics and higher-level competitors.

What Paul Put Brings to the Table

Uganda’s Belgian coach Paul Put has a history of working with below-seeded teams and getting them far. He brought Burkina Faso to the AFCON 2013 final and made Gambia competitive for the first time in years.

He is expected to be essential with tactical adjustments, defensive strategies, and man-management. Therefore, against Nigeria and Tunisia, expect him to implement the following:

• A compact defensive structure
• Quick counters down the sidelines with wingers
• Set pieces with specific training

Fan Reactions: Mixed But Hopeful

Cranes AFCON 2025 draw didn’t settle fan responses. Many Ugandan fans were panicking at first, but football analysts and a handful of the country’s former players have urged calm.

“If we beat DR Congo and drew with Egypt in 2019, there is no way we can’t progress from this group.” This is according to former Cranes captain Andy Mwesigwa.

Social media sentiment confirms this sensible, optimistic outcome, even fans support Paul Put for his tactical continuity and smart decisions.

What does Uganda need to succeed?

Here’s what it’s going to take to succeed:

• Not fear, but respect: Uganda needs to play Nigeria and Tunisia like they’re opponents. Not fears.
• Three points against Tanzania: This is the must-win.
• Fitness and discipline: No red cards for Iinattention, no losing focus in the last 10 minutes.
• Efficient time management: 3 games in 9 days means some will be benching.

This isn’t the group of death

Uganda’s not in the group of death; it’s in a competitive group. If anything, the Cranes Afcon 2025 draw presents a fair test—strong enough to be respectable, manageable enough to believe.

Historical performance and actual form suggest that if they prepare properly, play disciplined, and rely on their star players, Uganda could make it to the knockout stage this year.