Three members of David Gray’s First Team squad.have been called up to compete in the 2025 African Cup of Nations.
Rocky Bushiri has been selected for DR Congo, Jordan Obita for Uganda, and Miguel Chaiwa for Zambia
The competition, hosted in Morocco, will begin today (Sunday 21 December, 2025) with the final taking place on Sunday 18 January, 2026.
DR Congo, Uganda, and Zambia will all compete in the group stages playing three matches, with the top two teams of each group, along with the best four third-placed teams advancing to the round of 16.
Rocky Bushiri – DR Congo
DR Congo have been drawn in Group D alongside Senegal, Benin, and Botswana.
Managed by Sébastien Desabre, the Leopards’ first game is on Tuesday 23 December, 2025 and kicks off at 8.30pm UK time at Al Medina Stadium as they take on Benin.
Four days later (27 December, 2025) they take on Senegal, which is expected to be their toughest test in the group, at the Tangier Grand Stadium kicking off at 6pm UK time.
Their final group match takes place on Tuesday 30 December, 2025 against Botswana back at the Al Medina Stadium; 8.30pm UK time kick off.
In the 2023 AFCON, DR Congo were beaten 1-0 by Ivory Coast in the Semi-Finals, and ultimately finished fourth losing the third-placed tie to South Africa on penalties. They have won the competition on two occasions (1968 and 1974).
Rocky Bushiri currently has six caps for DR Congo, and started and scored in their friendly against Zambia earlier this week (Tuesday 16 December, 2025).
Jordan Obita – Uganda
One-time winners Uganda will be looking to mark their mark in this winter’s African Cup of Nations.
They have been drawn in a group alongside Nigeria, Tunisia, and Tanzania, and also kick off their campaign on Tuesday 23 December, 2025 as they take on Tunisia at the Rabat Olympic Stadium; 3.30pm UK time kick-off.
The Cranes will then take on Tanzania four days’ later (27 December, 2025), at the Al Medina Stadium, also kicking off at 3.30pm UK time.
Before finishing their group stage games against top-seed side Nigeria on 30 December, 2025 at the Fez Stadium; 6pm UK time kick-off.
This is the first time in six years that Uganda have qualified for the major competition and Paul Put’s side will be hoping to go on a similar run to that time out as they reached the Round of 16.
Jordan Obita has been a regular for Uganda and has seven caps to his name.
Miguel Chaiwa – Zambia
Moses Sichone’s side will be looking to better their 2023 AFCON performance and get out of the group stages.
‘Chipolopolo’ have been drawn in a group alongside hosts Morocco, Mali, and Comoros. They kick off their campaign on the second day of the major competition (Monday 22 December, 2025) as they face Mali at the Mohammed V Stadium; 3.30pm UK time kick-off.
On Boxing Day, they will take on Comoros at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca once again; 3.30pm UK time kick-off.
Before finishing their group stage campaign on 29 December, 2025 against Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium; 6.30pm UK time kick-off.
Like Uganda, Zambia have won the AFCON once before. They were Champions in 2012!
Miguel Chaiwa currently has 14 caps for Zambia.
