The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has its first major spark of psychological warfare as Ugandan forward Melvyn Lorenzen declared the Cranes “no easy task” for Group C heavyweights Nigeria and Tunisia.
Despite the historical pedigree of the Super Eagles, who arrived in Morocco yesterday, the Muangthong United attacker insists that Uganda is prepared to shed its underdog status and disrupt the continental hierarchy.
Drawn into a grueling Group C alongside three-time champions Nigeria, 2004 winners Tunisia, and East African rivals Tanzania, the Cranes face an uphill battle. However, Lorenzen—a key figure in Paul Put’s tactical setup—believes Uganda’s resilience is their greatest weapon.
“Even against the big nations, it’s always a good result. We’ve never gone under; they’ve always shown themselves in a good light,” Lorenzen stated. “I think any team that comes won’t be comfortable playing us. It’s time to prove that again.”
The Super Eagles’ Arrival: Nigeria landed in Morocco on Thursday, carrying the weight of being tournament favorites. They open their campaign against Tanzania this Tuesday.
Uganda’s Reinvention: Under the guidance of Paul Put, the Cranes are looking to transition from “participants” to “contenders,” relying on the attacking spark of recent debutants like Lorenzen.
The Underdog Threat: While Nigeria and Tunisia are favored to progress, the regional rivalry with Tanzania and Uganda’s defensive discipline make Group C one of the most unpredictable quadrants of the tournament.
As the Super Eagles prepare for their Tuesday opener, Lorenzen’s comments serve as a reminder that in Morocco, reputation alone won’t secure three points.
