The Uganda Cranes will take their final bow before next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tonight, Tuesday, November 18, facing their toughest possible preparatory challenge against tournament hosts and continental giants, Morocco.
The high-profile international friendly at the Grand Stade de Tanger, set for 10:00 PM EAT, pits a resurgent Uganda against Africa’s top-ranked side, offering a crucial gauge of the Cranes’ readiness for the continental showpiece, now just 33 days away.
Uganda arrives with momentum, having secured a 2-1 victory over Chad last Friday, but Head Coach Paul Put is demanding a sharper performance against far sterner opposition.
“In the game against Chad, we didn’t perform to our best but the most important thing is we won,” Put stated. “Morocco is another test and it will give us a good challenge.”
That challenge is monumental. Under coach Walid Regragui, the Atlas Lions have cemented their status as a global football force, famously finishing fourth at the 2022 World Cup.
They are on a formidable run of 10 consecutive victories and are the overwhelming favourites to win the AFCON on home soil.
Despite missing injured stars like PSG’s Achraf Hakimi, Morocco’s squad remains laden with world-class talent, including goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui, and striker Youssef En-Nesyri.
For Uganda, who are making an eighth AFCON appearance and their first since 2019, this match is an invaluable opportunity to acclimate to North African opposition, a style they will also face in the group stages against Tunisia.
The Cranes will be without several key players, including left-back Aziz Kayondo and forward Rogers Mato. Their absence, however, provides a chance for others to stake a claim.
While the historical head-to-head offers glimpses of Ugandan success; including a 1-0 friendly win in 2011, the recent memory is a sobering 5-2 defeat at the 2021 CHAN tournament.
Tonight, the result is secondary to the performance. For Coach Put and his charges, it is the ultimate litmus test. A chance to build cohesion, measure themselves against the very best, and prove they can soar among Africa’s elite.
