Uganda players missed Saturday’s training session ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opening game against Tunisia later on Tuesday. 

The Cranes stayed back at their base camp, the Ritz Carlton Rabat as a form of protest over bonus promises by the Ugandan Football Federation. 

The latest development came as a setback for Paul Put’s side who were the first team to arrive Morocco for the tournament that begins on Sunday.

Sports Talk Florida confirmed that the protest was led by senior players in the squad who are unhappy about the proposed €6,000 bonus for qualification from the first round.

A timely intervention by Uganda FA President, Moses Magogo late on Saturday night resolved the crisis and the Cranes are set to resume training on Sunday. 

After missing the last two editions, Uganda will be making their eighth appearance on the AFCON stage in Morocco.

The East African nation are in Group C and they will first take on Tunisia on December 23 followed by Tanzania and a final fixture against Nigeria on December 30. 

Uganda are yet to lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy and their best result in the tournament was in 1978 when they finished as runners-up.

President of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations will take place in every four years, starting from 2028. 

The flagship African football showpiece that brings together the best 24 footballing countries on the continent following a year-long qualification phase.

Motsepe made the announcement during a press conference on the eve of the AFCON 2025 opening ceremony in Rabat that had in attendance key CAF executives. 

After the current edition in Morocco, three East African nations – Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are set to host the AFCON 2027 which would be the last in the two-year cycle of the competition. 

Following in the steps of their European and CONCACAF counterparts, the African football governing body also adopted the creation of a new African Nations League that will begin after 2027. 

The new tournament will be similar to Europe’s Nations League with more competitive matches, increased commercial revenue and regular high-level games for national teams. 

Furthermore, CAF announced that AFCON 2025 winner will walk away with $10 million, a 43 per cent increase from the $7 million pocketed by Cote d’Ivoire in the 2023 edition.

The 35th edition of the AFCON will kick-off in Morocco on Sunday with the Atlas Lions taking on Comoros at the newly constructed 69,000-capacity Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The NFC South takes center stage this week as the 7–6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, travel to Charlotte to face the 7–6 Carolina Panthers in a matchup that will shape the division race. With both teams tied atop the standings, this is the first of two meetings in three weeks that will ultimately decide who claims the NFC South crown and secures an inside track to the postseason. Tampa Bay enters knowing that a win on the road not only gives them control of the division but also sets the tone for a critical late‑season push.

Coaching Familiarity Adds Intrigue to the Matchup

One of the most compelling storylines centers on the deep familiarity between the two coaching staffs. Carolina head coach Dave Canales, the former Buccaneers offensive coordinator, knows Baker Mayfield’s tendencies, strengths, and preferences as well as anyone in the league. His insight into Tampa Bay’s offensive structure adds a layer of chess‑match strategy to Sunday’s showdown.

On the other sideline, Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is equally familiar with Canales’ system, having worked closely with him during his time in Tampa. Bowles understands the rhythm, spacing, and timing principles that Canales builds into his offense. After last week’s frustrating loss to Atlanta, the Buccaneers arrive in Carolina motivated, focused, and determined to prove they still possess the firepower to win the South. The players have echoed that urgency all week, emphasizing execution and discipline as the keys to reclaiming momentum.

How to Watch: TV Information and Broadcast Team

Sunday’s divisional clash will air nationally on FOX, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 PM ET. The network’s broadcast team — including play‑by‑play, analyst, and sideline reporting crew — will provide full coverage of what is expected to be one of the most consequential NFC matchups of the weekend. With both teams fighting for playoff positioning, the national spotlight only heightens the stakes.

What a Win in Carolina Would Mean for the Buccaneers

A victory in Carolina would be a defining moment for Tampa Bay’s season. It would give the Bucs a crucial head‑to‑head advantage, restore confidence after the Atlanta loss, and set them up with momentum heading into next week’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins, one of the AFC’s most explosive teams. Winning on the road in a hostile environment would also reinforce the belief that this roster — despite injuries and inconsistency — has the resilience and leadership to finish strong.

For Baker Mayfield, it’s another opportunity to solidify his standing as the emotional and competitive engine of the team. For Bowles, it’s a chance to reassert control of the division. And for the Buccaneers as a whole, it’s the first step toward claiming a playoff berth that remains very much within reach.