Uganda head coach Paul Put has fired a defiant message to his squad ahead of their must win Africa Cup of Nations clash with Nigeria, insisting “everyone is beatable” as the Cranes plot a monumental upset.
The Belgian, knowing only victory will keep Uganda’s tournament alive, has drilled a mantra of belief and bravery into his players, dismissing the notion that Nigeria’s reputation and perfect record should decide Tuesday night’s contest in Morocco.
With Nigeria already through as Group C winners and likely to rotate, Put sees a window of opportunity for his bottom placed side. “We know we are facing a very good team, finalists last time,” Put acknowledged at his pre match press conference. “But in football, everything is possible. We want to stick with the mentality that everyone is beatable and see what will happen.”
His message is one of defiant preparation, not hope. “We are prepared. We have the players who can do it for Uganda,” he stated firmly. “A win can give us a ticket to the knockout stage. Victory is possible for us.”
That conviction has filtered through to the squad. Defender Jordan Obita echoed the manager’s fearlessness, saying, “We cannot go into the game with any fear. We have to go into the game with full belief, and that’s what we’re going to do.” The team spirit, he claims, remains high despite their precarious position of just one point from two games.
History, at least, offers a sliver of encouragement for the underdogs. Uganda famously beat Nigeria 2-1 in the semi finals of the 1978 AFCON, and hold a slight edge in the overall head to head record with four wins from eight meetings.
Yet the present reality is stark. Nigeria have looked controlled and powerful, dispatching Tunisia and Tanzania with minimal fuss, while Uganda were well beaten by the Tunisians. The Super Eagles boast one of the deepest squads at the tournament, and even with changes, will field a formidable side.
For Put, the tactical key will be harnessing that underdog mentality from the first whistle. He’ll demand his side disrupt Nigeria’s rhythm and seize any moment of complacency. A draw does Uganda no good, they must throw caution to the wind.
The broader significance is clear: a Uganda win would be one of the shocks of the group stage and throw the knockout picture wide open, while for Nigeria, it’s a chance to maintain momentum and perhaps blood fringe players in a high pressure environment. All the pressure lies with Put’s men. Tonight, we see if belief alone can bridge the gap in class.