Ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Uganda's national team striker, Melvyn Lorenzen, has issued a stern warning to opponents in Group C, which includes Nigeria's Super Eagles, Tunisia, and Tanzania.
Lorenzen's Bold Declaration for The Cranes
The 31-year-old forward, who plays for Muangthong United in Malaysia and is a product of Werder Bremen, has dismissed the underdog tag placed on his team. Speaking via the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA), Lorenzen asserted that no team will have an easy time facing Uganda at the continental showpiece.
"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. He added, "So, I think any team that comes won't be comfortable playing us. It's time to prove that again."
Despite Uganda's historical struggles at the AFCON, the team, coached by Paul Put, is aiming to make a strong statement. Lorenzen, a recent debutant for the national side, is tipped to be a key player in their campaign.
Super Eagles Under Scrutiny Ahead of Tournament
The warning comes as Nigeria, the top-ranked team in Group C on paper, faces internal criticism. Former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi has publicly questioned head coach Eric Chelle's squad selection for the tournament.
Mikel suggested that external influences may have compromised the selection process. "I don't think the right players are being selected from what I hear," Mikel said. "I think the manager doesn't have the full authority to select who he wants. I think there's a lot of influence on his selection."
This criticism is compounded by Nigeria's unconvincing performances in recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, where they struggled against teams like Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Benin Republic.
Group C Outlook and External Predictions
The 2025 AFCON kicks off on Sunday, December 21, with Uganda drawn in what many see as a challenging but opportunistic Group C. While Nigeria and Tunisia are the favorites to progress, the perceived vulnerability of the Super Eagles could open a door for The Cranes.
In a related development, Chelsea legend Salomon Kalou has backed Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen to be a decisive force. Kalou believes Osimhen's momentum could be key, especially in the group stage matches. "For the matches against Tanzania and Uganda, Victor Osimhen could score a few early goals, and once a striker like Osimhen builds momentum, he’s very hard to stop," Kalou said.
As the tournament approaches, the stage is set for a compelling battle in Group C, where Uganda's confidence clashes with Nigeria's quest to rediscover their dominant form under intense scrutiny.
