Uganda striker Melvyn Lorenzen has issued a warning to Nigeria and other Group C rivals, saying the Cranes will not be easy opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Uganda, coached by Paul Put, have been drawn alongside Tunisia, Tanzania and Nigeria in the group stage, with the Super Eagles and the Carthage Eagles widely tipped to progress.
However, Lorenzen is confident the Cranes will pose a serious challenge when the tournament begins in Morocco.
“Even against the big nations, it’s always a good result. We’ve never gone under; the team has always represented itself well. I think any team that faces us won’t be comfortable. It’s time to prove that again,” Lorenzen told the Uganda Football Association’s official website.
Uganda will begin their campaign against Tunisia next Tuesday before taking on Tanzania and Nigeria. The Cranes, who missed the last two editions in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, are making their eighth appearance at the AFCON finals.
Nigeria, runners-up at the last tournament in Ivory Coast, will face Uganda on December 31 in what is expected to be a demanding Group C clash in Fez. Historically, the Super Eagles have struggled against the Cranes, most notably in 1978 when Philip Omondi scored twice to knock Nigeria out in the semi-finals in Ghana.
