Nigeria have the quality, balance and tactical organisation to go all the way to the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, according to Ugandan national team head coach Paul Put, Soccernet.ng reports.
Speaking after his side’s 3-1 defeat by the Super Eagles on Tuesday night, Put said Nigeria’s current team mirrors the structure and efficiency of the side that lifted the AFCON trophy in 2013. The Belgian tactician is convinced that Eric Chelle’s men are well placed for a deep run in the tournament.
The Super Eagles have been one of the standout teams of AFCON 2025, finishing the group stage with a perfect record.
They are the only side to win all three group matches so far, following victories over Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda, while Algeria could only match that feat with a win later on Wednesday.
Nigeria’s attacking numbers reveal their dominance. They have scored eight goals – the highest tally at the tournament – with those goals coming from six different players, making them the most varied attacking side in Morocco.
That consistency and balance has drawn comparisons with Nigeria’s 2013 title-winning team under the late Stephen Keshi, a similarity that Put, who coached Burkina Faso in that final, was quick to point out.
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‘Comparable to 2013' – Put draws title parallels for Nigeria
Put made his assessment during the post-match press conference at the Fes Stadium, where Nigeria’s win ended Uganda’s AFCON campaign at the group stage.
“I cannot speak for your coach, but of course, in 2013, you (Nigeria) had a very good team, but I think today, you also have a very good team. The way the team is playing in the system is comparable to 2013,” Put said.
The 69-year-old Belgian, who also previously managed Kenya, believes that resemblance gives Nigeria a genuine chance of reaching the final in Morocco.
“I think they have a very good chance to be close to the final,” he added.
Nigeria’s authority was again evident on the pitch. Paul Onuachu opened the scoring in the 28th minute against 10-man Uganda, before Raphael Onyedika struck twice in the second half to put the result beyond doubt.
Rogers Mato pulled one back for Uganda in the 75th minute, finishing from a well-weighted Allan Okello assist, but the contest had long been settled.
Put admitted his side were unable to cope with Nigeria’s pressure and reflected on where Uganda’s AFCON hopes slipped away.
“I think we should have played for qualification against Nigeria. We had the opportunity against Tanzania to qualify the team in that game, so we would have had this problem,” Put stated.
He added: “We were under pressure today. It was very hard because Nigeria is a difficult team, so I think we lost the qualification against Tanzania.”
Uganda exit the tournament with one point, while Nigeria advance to the round of 16 as Group C winners.
The Super Eagles will now face the third-placed team from Group F, with defending champions Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Mozambique all possible opponents as Chelle’s side continue their pursuit of a fourth AFCON title.
