Uganda keeper Watenga ruled out of AFCON 2025 after suffering injury

Photo by FUFA Media/Ronald Lusulire.

Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Ismail Watenga has been ruled out of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after suffering a serious knee injury during yesterday’s friendly match against Gambia in Marrakech, Morocco.

Watenga went down in the 53rd minute of the game and was immediately replaced by Joel Mutakubwa. Subsequent medical assessments confirmed that he had sustained a right knee Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.

According to a statement from the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), the injury will require surgical intervention once Watenga returns from camp. The recovery timeline for an ACL injury typically spans up to 6 months, meaning he will not feature in the upcoming AFCON tournament in Morocco.

Watenga’s absence is a major setback for the Cranes, who relied heavily on his experience throughout the qualification campaign. His injury leaves a significant void in the squad just months before the competition.

Uganda have been drawn in Group C alongside regional rivals Tanzania, and continental heavyweights Nigeria and Tunisia. The Cranes will start their campaign on December 23, 2025, against Tunisia at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Annex Stadium in Rabat.