Uganda head coach Paul Put has admitted that banking on qualification against Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was a costly mistake following his side’s 3–1 defeat to the Super Eagles.
The loss ended the Cranes’ hopes of progressing to the Round of 16, as Nigeria secured all three points in the Group C encounter.
Speaking after the match, Put explained that Uganda’s qualification fate should have been sealed earlier in the group, particularly in their previous outing against Tanzania.
“I think we shouldn’t have come looking for qualification facing Nigeria,” Put said. “We had the opportunity against Tanzania to qualify for the Round of 16. If we had won that game, we wouldn’t have had the problem of facing Nigeria.”
The Belgian tactician also pointed to inexperience and pressure as major factors that affected his team’s performance against the three-time African champions.
“We were under pressure, and you can’t blame these players because they don’t have the experience,” he added. “They were under pressure, and it’s always difficult facing Nigeria, who have a very good team.”
Put concluded by insisting that Uganda’s elimination was not decided by the defeat to Nigeria but by missed opportunities earlier in the tournament.
“I don’t think we lost our qualification ticket to Nigeria. I think we lost our qualification ticket to Tanzania,” he stated.
Nigeria’s victory confirmed their dominance in the group, while Uganda bowed out of the competition at the group stage.
