AFCON 2025: Aucho says Cranes ready to compete
We are not going to Morocco merely to participate. We are going there to compete
Uganda Cranes captain Khalid Aucho, has said that the team is heading to AFCON 2025 in Morocco with the intention of competing, not just participating.
His remarks came hours after the final group draws for AFCON held on Monday evening in Rabat, Morocco.
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The draw placed Uganda in Group C alongside last tournament finalists Nigeria, as well as Tanzania and Tunisia.
AFCON 2025 is scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco.
Aucho, noted that the upcoming tournament comes as a chance for the Cranes to not only compete but also to strive for excellence and bring pride to the country.
Being at AFCON means you’re strong enough to compete with any team. Therefore, we will face all the teams and strive to make Ugandans proud,” Aucho said. “I know my boys. They will give their all," Aucho said.
“We are not going to Morocco merely to participate. We are going there to compete,” he added.
Aucho led the Cranes through the AFCON qualifying matches in Group K, where they finished second, securing an automatic qualification for the tournament.
This will mark Uganda's return to the 35th edition of Africa's biggest football event, having missed the last two tournaments since their last appearance in the 2019 finals in Egypt.
At 31 years old, Aucho brings a wealth of experience, having represented the Uganda Cranes in their last two AFCON appearances in 2017 (Cameroon) and 2019 (Egypt).
Young Africans midfielder is expected to play a crucial role in coach Paul Put’s squad’s continental dream.
