Uganda Cranes Head Coach Paul Joseph Put remains optimistic yet cautious as his team prepares for the CAF TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) KE.TZ.UG 2024.
Speaking after Wednesday’s draw at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, Put acknowledged the challenge ahead but emphasized the importance of preparation and determination.
Uganda, one of the host nations for CHAN 2024, has been drawn into Group C alongside Niger, Guinea, and two yet-to-be-determined teams.
The final qualifiers will emerge from a competitive pool including Algeria, Egypt, South Africa, The Gambia, Comoros, and Gabon.
“We don’t know which other countries we will be facing for Q1 and Q2, but it is a fine group,” Put stated. “We may end up having teams like South Africa, Algeria, or Egypt. It is a tough group, but when you want to play the final stages of CHAN, you must face big teams. So, we have to focus on ourselves and prepare well. As one of the hosts, we have the support of our fans. It will not be easy, but the players must use this opportunity to change their lives.”
Despite Uganda’s six previous CHAN appearances, the team has yet to progress beyond the group stage. For Coach Put, achieving this milestone is a primary objective.
Originally scheduled to begin on February 1, CHAN 2024 has been postponed by CAF to August 2025, giving teams additional preparation time.
