By Michael Madyira
Uganda forwards Shaban Muhammad and Dennis Omedi refuse to view Bafana Bafana as superior opponents ahead of Friday’s match.
South Africa will host the Cranes in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Orlando Stadium, the two teams’ first match in Group K.
Bafana goes into the encounter upbeat after claiming a bronze medal at the last Afcon finals earlier this year.
Hugo Broos’ men are ranked 10th on the continent, while Uganda are 21st, but their opponents do not want to feel inferior.
“Nowadays, football is not about names, but about who gives it more,” Muhammad told Sanyu FM.
“We are going to see that we give it our all to get three points against South Africa on Friday.”
Muhammad’s attacking partner, Omedi, agrees and believes the team are a match for Bafana.
“They are just a team like us. As a country, they have players just like Uganda,” Omedi said.
“They are a big team, but then we are not thinking about that. I can assure you that we are all in good shape.
“Football is all about form and using your strengths, and you will end up having positive results. We will fight hard for positive results so that our country can advance to the next stage.”
Ugandan coach Paul Put, a Belgian and Broos’s compatriot, has been in charge of seven games since November 2023, winning three, losing three, and drawing once.
A veteran of African football, Put has coached five other national teams on the continent: the Gambia, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Guinea, and Congo.
The Cranes have Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ismail Watenga, who is on loan at Golden Arrows.
Pictured above: Uganda players training at Balfour Park Sports Grounds in Johannesburg.
Source: Uganda Cranes
