Overview:
Ivan Ahimbisibwe is among the ten forwards on the final Uganda Cranes team that also has KCCA teammate Shafik Nana Kwikiriza. The others include Lorenzen Melvyn, Uchechukwu Ikpeazu Mubiru, Rogers Mato, Steven Desse Mukwala, Denis Omedi, Reagan Mpande and Jude Ssemugabi.
Uganda Cranes at AFCON 2025 (Group Stage matches)
- Tuesday, 23rd December 2025: Tunisia Vs Uganda – Stade Annex Olympique Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat (11 PM, E.A.T)
- Saturday, 27th December 2025: Uganda Vs Tanzania – Stade El Barid, Rabat (8:30 PM, E.A.T)
- Tuesday, 30th December 2025: Uganda Vs Nigeria – Complexe Sportif De Fes (7:00 PM, E.A.T)
KCCA Football Club forward Ivan “The Hunter” Ahimbisibwe has always lived a life full of dreams.
Hailing from little-known Kacence village in Mbarara City, Ahimbisibwe’s gradual transcendence to stardom is a testament to his resilience, diligence, dedication, commitment, sacrifice and self-belief.
Right from the early days at the outspoken Mbarara Sports Academy, Ahimbisibwe openly expressed the willpower, zeal and enthusiasm to get elevated to the desired level.
After Mbarara Sports Club, the 25-year-old forward has since played at Synergy, Nyamityobora, UPDF, URA and now at KCCA in the Uganda Premier League.
Ahimbisibwe is currently part of the final Uganda Cranes squad at the prestigious 35th Total Energies African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Morocco.
The selection by Uganda Cranes head coach Paul Joseph Put and his back-room staff followed a string of stellar performances right from the 2024 CHAN tourney and the recent rich vein of form at his mother club.
With gratitude, he testifies that the summon to the senior team was a humbling calling.
“I am humbled to be part of the squad at AFCON 2025,” the graduate of Social Work and Social Administration (SWSA) confesses.
“I am also excited as well for this greatest opportunity,” the industrious forward adds.
During the recent build-up match against FAR Rabat, Ahimbisibwe cemented his slot with a poacher’s typical strike during the 2-all stalemate.
Special Moment
Ahimbisibwe revels in this moment that has tagged as a special one for himself, family, the KCCA fraternity and the entire 45 million plus Ugandans.
“I am very proud of this moment to represent Uganda with the Uganda Cranes. This is a very special moment for me and my family, club (KCCA) and all Ugandans at large,” he adds.
He is among the ten forwards on the final Uganda Cranes team that also has KCCA teammate Shafik Nana Kwikiriza.
The others include Lorenzen Melvyn, Uchechukwu Ikpeazu Mubiru, Rogers Mato, Steven Desse Mukwala, Denis Omedi, Reagan Mpande and Jude Ssemugabi.
With the rich selection of forwards on the team, the writing is well-spelt on the wall and no shortcut but toiling the hard way.
“I am ready to work extremely hard to fetch the best out of my box. Definitely to see how far we can go,” Ahimbisibwe attests.
Uganda Cranes in group C:
Uganda was pooled in Group C alongside two proven giants of African football, Tunisia and Nigeria, both former winners of AFCON.
Tanzania, a tricky opposition from the same East African region, is the fourth team in the group.
Uganda Cranes will open up their campaign against Tunisia on Tuesday, 23rd December 2025 at the Stade Annex Olympique Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat (11:00 pm, East African Time).
The second game will come three days later on Saturday, 27th December 2025, against Tanzania at the Stade El Barid, Rabat (8:30 PM, East African Time), before the final group game on Tuesday, 30th December 2025 against Nigeria at the Complexe Sportif De Fes (7:00 PM, East African Time).
Uganda Cranes’ best performance was a silver medal performance way back in 1978 when they fell 2-0 to hosts Ghana Black Stars in Kumasi.
Can Uganda replicate the 1978 form or even perform better? This is a script that Ahimisibwe and the other 27 squad men want to own.
