Uganda Cranes forward Rogers Mato has described his first day of training at the TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 camp in Morocco as a moment of fulfilment and national pride. Speaking after the session, he expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to represent Uganda on the continent’s biggest stage.
‘Yeah, it is a dream come true to be a part of this team, this wonderful team, with some experienced players and some upcoming players. I feel grateful, I feel honoured to come and honour my country, it is a pleasure being here.’
He emphasised the significance of the tournament for both the nation and the next generation of footballers.
‘Yeah, it is a good one for us, for the nation and for the upcoming generations, upcoming talents, the rising stars. It is good for us to come and be part of this tournament.’
Mato also reflected on the personal importance of the moment, comparing AFCON to other major competitions he has featured in.
‘It is one of the biggest tournaments I have ever played, because I have played in the Conference League, which is a big tournament as well. The African Cup of Nations is a big tournament, it is one of the big names in the world, so it is a big tournament and a big achievement for me as a person and for my career.’
The Uganda Cranes will continue their preparations in Morocco, with two buildup matches lined up as part of the team’s final tune-up for the tournament.
AFCON buildup matches for Uganda Cranes will include Uganda against FAR Rabat on 13th December 2025 and Uganda against Gabon on 17th December 2025. FAR Rabat is currently competing in the CAF Champions League.
