Cranes, Bafana in battle for top Group K spot

Uganda will face off with South Africa in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification Group K match at the Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, on Friday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

This will be an encounter between two teams that have already qualified for the 2025 Afcon finals following South Sudan's 3-2 victory over Congo-Brazzaville in a Group K match played in Juba on Thursday.

The Cranes emerged as 2-1 winners over South Sudan away on 15 October and the win extended the East African side's unbeaten run to four matches across all competitions.

Uganda, who remain undefeated in Group K, are placed at the top of the group standings.

Meanwhile, South Africa drew 1-1 with Congo-Brazzaville away on 15 October and the result extended the Southern African giants' unbeaten run to 12 matches across all competitions in regulation time.

Bafana Bafana, who also undefeated in Group K, are placed second in the group standings and they are two points behind leaders Uganda as the two teams battle for the top spot with two matches left.

TEAM NEWS

John Paul Dembe has been named in the Uganda squad after he scored six goals at the recent CECAFA Under-20 tournament and the Cranes are yet to report injuries in their camp.

Meanwhile, Mihlali Mayambela has withdrawn from the South Africa squad due to injury and was replaced by Devin Titus, while Lyle Foster also misses out as he is injured.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Uganda and South Africa have met six times across all competitions. Bafana boast  an unbeaten record against Cranes having recorded four wins and two draws.

Their last meeting ended in a 2-2 draw in the 2025 Afcon qualifier played in Soweto on 6 September.