Uganda Cranes has qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 before playing their last two Group K matches.

Ahead of their match against South Africa in Kampala on Friday, the Uganda Cranes booked a ticket to Africa’s biggest football tournament after South Sudan defeated the Republic of the Congo 3-2 in the other Group K match played in Juba on Thursday.

South Sudan’s win means that Uganda who lead the table with 10 points and South Africa in second place with eight points have automatically qualified because a win for South Sudan (3 points) and Congo (4 points) in their last matches cannot help them reach the points the top two teams have already accumulated.

“We are very happy that before playing the last two matches our team has qualified for AFCON 2025 to take place in Morocco,” said Peter Ogwang, Uganda’s State Minister for Sports.

Khalid Aucho, Uganda’s captain told Xinhua that although the team has already qualified, they are determined to get a good result against South Africa in front of the fans. “We have worked hard since the start of the campaign and we continue with that spirit,” added Aucho.

Uganda returned to the AFCON after last appearing in 2019 when it was held in Egypt.

The Uganda Cranes started their campaign with a 2-2 away draw against South Africa, and beat the Republic of the Congo 2-0 at home. The Cranes again saw off South Sudan 1-0 in Kampala, and also collected a hard fought 2-1 away win against the same team in Juba.