Uganda Cranes have returned to the training pitch in Rabat on Sunday morning after fresh talks with FUFA eased tensions over unpaid bonuses, ending a brief standoff which disrupted preparations for AFCON 2025.
The team had skipped their scheduled Saturday evening session at the Stade Olympique Annex after a group of seven players asked head coach Paul Put not to proceed with training until clarity was provided on outstanding payments from the qualification campaign.
The decision followed several internal meetings among players, held after discussions with federation officials failed to produce an agreement a day earlier.
Sources within camp indicate players were promised a qualification bonus of up to USD 10,000 each for helping Uganda reach AFCON 2025, with individual amounts tied to appearances during the qualifiers.
FUFA officials informed the squad the payments depend on funds expected from government, which remain unreleased.
FUFA president Moses Magogo met the players on Friday, though the talks ended without consensus.
On Saturday, the coaching staff arrived at the training ground and prepared equipment before leaving after players stayed away.
Put later confirmed the session was cancelled due to a bonus dispute, admitting the interruption affected his build up for the tournament opener.
The situation revived memories of AFCON 2019 in Egypt, when Uganda players skipped two training sessions over unpaid bonuses before a round of 16 defeat to Senegal.
Following discussions late Saturday night, players confirmed they would resume training, which they did on Sunday morning.
Talks with FUFA concluded with assurances of a resolution process underway, allowing attention to return to tactical work and match readiness as Uganda count down to their long awaited AFCON return.
The team now refocuses on Tunisia, Uganda’s first opponents in Group C on Tuesday night at 11.00 PM EAT.
Tunisia, record Africa Cup of Nations participants, won the tournament in 2004 and present an early test in a group which also includes Tanzania and Nigeria.
