Uganda Cranes will face their ultimate test before next month’s Africa Cup of Nations ( AFCON ) when they play hosts Morocco at Grand Stade de Tanger in a high profile International Friendly on Tuesday.

The Cranes come into this fixture after a 2-1 win over Chad last Friday, with Uche Ikpeazu and Melvyn Lorenzen scoring their maiden goals for the team.

But this time, they face a much tougher opponent – not just an African powerhouse but a global force.

This will be the final preparatory game for both sides ahead of AFCON, with hosts Morocco widely tipped as favourites to lift the trophy on home soil.

Under Walid Regragui, the Atlas Lions have risen sharply in recent years. They are now Africa’s highest-ranked team and have already secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Their fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup remains the finest achievement by an African nation on the global stage.

Morocco defeated Mozambique 1-0 on Friday, thanks to a goal from Azzedine Ounahi, and will be keen to wrap up the break with another positive performance.

They will, however, be without star full-back Achraf Hakimi, who was injured in the Champions League playing for PSG, while defender Nayef Aguerd has returned to Marseille due to a groin injury.

Still, Morocco’s squad remains stacked with talent, including goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, Manchester United full-back Noussair Mazraoui, former Wolves defender Romain Saïss, Valencia midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, Olympiacos striker Ayoub El Kaabi, and Youssef En-Nesyri, currently with Fenerbahçe among others.

The Uganda Cranes, meanwhile, have good reason to be upbeat. Under coach Paul Put, the team has been revitalized and successfully secured AFCON qualification.

Though they narrowly missed out on a historic World Cup berth, finishing behind Algeria in their group, their performances showed promise.

With Tunisia also in Uganda’s AFCON group, this meeting with Morocco gives Put a taste of North African opposition once again. Nigeria and Tanzania complete the group.

Regardless of the result, the match provides a crucial test and valuable acclimatization for Uganda, who are making their eighth AFCON appearance.