Uganda coach Paul Put is unhappy with the way his team started the game against South Africa on Friday.
The two nations met in Group K of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations fixture staged at the Orlando Stadium. Despite a good start from Bafana Bafana, the East Africans played the second half better to get a 2-1 lead, before a late goal from the hosts ensured spoils were shared.
However, Put is unhappy with the way his team was playing in the first half, arguing legendary South Africa midfielder Themba Zwane was given a lot of space to hurt them.
‘Uganda showed too much respect'
The Belgian has hinted he felt Cranes let him down because the technical team had made enough preparations to ensure they stood a chance of beating their hosts.
“I think we showed too much respect in the opening half [Themba Zwane] was playing on an island, he could receive the ball, he could turn, he could do everything possible, he was making the game, he was playing,” the 68-year-old stated.
“That was not supposed to be possible, we have been showing videos of the key players of South Africa and saying if you perform like this in a decent level in Africa, then we expect more. So we changed our mentality to [play] more aggressivity and more [be more attacking].
“We were very lucky in the first half because we were not in the game, we were nowhere, I didn’t recognize my players, they were playing like children, too much respect for the South Africans, we were lucky to concede only one goal.”
How did Cranes turn it around?
Put has now explained how he motivated his players to deliver in the second half and stated a point will only be valuable if Uganda get a positive outcome in their next game against Congo.
“We did some talks in the dressing room at half time and I told them we need to do something else, ‘I want to see the real Uganda like we played against Botswana and Algeria.' We saw a much better team in the second half with aggression and mentality.
“We scored by long-distance shots, but that’s football – but at the beginning of the match, if you could sign for a draw in South Africa, you would be happy. Now it’s a bit of a hard feeling because we conceded with a minute to go, which would have been three points.
“It’s not always the best teams who win, but I’m proud of that second half, my players, showing football in the second half, now that point in South Africa, we can only celebrate if we get a good result at home against Congo, so let’s hope we can perform well, it’s a long journey to go.”
As Uganda battles Congo at the Mandela Stadium in Namboole, Uganda, Bafana Bafana will be away in Juba playing South Sudan.
