Uganda face true AFCON test as they battle Morocco in Tangier

Tuesday, November 18

Grande Stade de Tanger, 10:00 PM (EAT)

Uganda national team will wrap up their international break with a heavyweight friendly against hosts Morocco at the Grande Stade de Tanger on Tuesday, an encounter that promises to stretch Paul Put’s evolving side to its limits as the AFCON finals draw closer.

Fresh from a hard-fought 2-1 win over Chad in their opening test, Uganda arrives in Tangier eager to measure its progress. While the victory was welcome, Put admits the performance left room for improvement.

“We didn’t perform to our best against Chad, but the important thing is we won,” the Belgian noted, emphasizing the need for growth ahead of a far sterner challenge. “Morocco is another test that will give us a good challenge.”

Uganda travels light, with several key names missing. Aziz Kayondo, Jamal Salim, Rogers Mato, and Elio Capradossi are all unavailable, opening the door for fresh faces to stake their claim before the AFCON squad is finalised.

Morocco edged out Mozambique in friendly opener

As expected, Put is likely to ring routine changes from the previous lineup, with captain Khalid Aucho, Kenneth Ssemakula, veteran shot-stopper Denis Onyango, and striker Steven Mukwala all tipped for starting roles.

Morocco, meanwhile, approaches the fixture with equal focus. The Atlas Lions edged Mozambique 1-0 in their opening friendly of the window and now seek to fine-tune their preparations as defending African heavyweights.

They also have their own setbacks, notably the absence of Achraf Hakimi and Nayef Aguerd both ruled out through injury but still boast enough depth to pose a formidable challenge.

With both sides juggling experimentation and ambition, tonight’s clash in Tangier is more than just a warm-up, it’s a gauge of readiness, resilience, and rising competition ahead of continental battle.