AFCON Update: Crisis Rocks Super Eagles’ Group Opponent As Uganda Players Boycott Training

AFCON Update: Crisis Rocks Super Eagles’ Group Opponent As Uganda Players Boycott Training

Sampson Adedeji

Crisis has hit the camp of Uganda’s national team, one of Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ opponents at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, after players walked away from training over unresolved bonus issues, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Uganda Cranes failed to hold their scheduled training session on Tuesday following intense internal discussions that began on Monday evening and stretched into the early hours of the day.

Information gathered revealed that the players held talks with the President of the Uganda Football Association (FUFA), Moses Magogo, over a proposed €6,000 qualification bonus for progressing beyond the first stage of the competition. 

However, the offer reportedly sparked discontent among senior members of the squad.

Several experienced players are said to have raised strong objections, describing the proposed bonus as unacceptable, especially in light of outstanding bonuses that have remained unpaid for over a year despite repeated assurances from the federation.

The situation escalated on Tuesday when the senior players reportedly convinced others to join their stance. 

About seven players then approached head coach Paul Put to inform him of their decision not to participate in training.

Coach Put was said to have acknowledged the players’ position and accepted the development, leading to the cancellation of the training session.

Sources close to the camp insist that the players are not making excessive demands but are simply calling for respect and the settlement of their legitimate entitlements.

As of the time of filing this report, an emergency meeting is ongoing at the team hotel as officials work to defuse the crisis and restore calm within the squad ahead of their AFCON campaign.