Ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday night, Uganda's head coach has issued a warning to Hugo Broos' Bafana Bafana.
Check Out: Bafana's Group Rivals Off To Winning Start In Qualifiers
South Africa are set to begin their AFCON qualification campaign in Orlando when they host the Cranes on Friday.
Broos' side will go into the Group K match with confidence after reaching the semi-final stage of the 2023 edition, while Uganda have not participated in the tournament since 2019.
Paul Put, who was appointed Uganda's head coach last year, has vast experience when it comes to Africa's leading national competition and warns that the "fight" to go to Morocco begins against Bafana.
"I have been to five AFCON finals and I want to add to that number with this team," he said, according to Uganda's Monitor newspaper.
"You have a group of young and undoubtedly very talented players. You have what it takes to qualify but you need to work hard for it … it will not be given to you just like that.
"You will have to fight for the right to be in Morocco next year and the fight starts this Friday against South Africa."
Check Out: Salah Scared Of Turning Out Like Mane?
South Africa last met Uganda in an international friendly in 2021, a match they won 3-2 after trailing 1-0 at half time.