Novatus Hiroshi of Tanzania challenged by Bobosi Byaruhanga of Uganda during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Uganda and Tanzania at El Barid Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on 27 December 2025 ©Samuel ShivambuBackpagePix
Saturday Dec 27, 2025. 21:12
Tanzania were denied a first ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations finals as Uganda came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at the Al Medina Stadium stadium in Rabat.
The two sides remain level on points in Group C, having both registered their first points. Tanzania enjoys a slight edge on goal difference heading into the final match-day.
Despite having now scored in seven of their last 11 games at the AFCON finals, the Taifa Stars have now managed seven losses and four draws in their 11 AFCON appearances.
The Cranes winless streak at the tournament also continues, moving to five consecutive games. They have only secured one win in their last 10 games at the tournament.
Uganda’s Allan Okello created the first chance of the game in the eighth minute, carrying the ball into the opposition box and shooting for the bottom left corner. His attempt was denied by a strong punch from Zuberi Foba.
The Cranes were denied by the crossbar in the 16th minute as Rogers Mato’s glancing header at the near post from Aziz Kayondo’s cross crashed into the bar.
They were denied another headed opportunity in the 31st minute. Kayondo’s cross found Jude Ssemugabi at the near post, but the striker’s header was pushed off-target by defender Ibrahim Hamad’s physicality.
Foba was called into action once more in the 35th minute, making a routine save to deny Kenneth Semakula’s right footed shot from outside the box.
In the 41st minute, a Tanzania ball forward created chaos at the edge of the Ugandan box. It fell kindly for Kelvin John, whose shot from the edge of the area flew wildly over the bar.
Tanzania were awarded a penalty in the 57th minute as Alphonce Msanga’s shot hit Baba Alhassan’s outstretched hand in the box.
Msuva buried the resulting spot kick to claim his 23rd international goal from the penalty spot, smashing the ball into the top left corner to hand the Taifa Stars the lead.
In the 72nd minute, Mato produced a great touch to control the ball, receiving a pass on the left side of the box. He whipped it in towards Ssemugabi in the middle, who could not get his head to the ball.
Substitute Uche Ikpeazu scored in his third minute on the pitch to draw the Cranes level in the 80th minute. Denis Omedi received a brilliant diagonal long-ball on the right side of the area and found Ikpeazu in the middle, who dove to make contact and put the ball past Foba.
The Cranes were given the chance to win it from the penalty spot in the 88th minute as Haji Mnoga pulled 17-year-old substitute James Bogere’s shirt and brought him down in the area. Okello missed from the spot, sending his penalty over the bar, possibly costing his side the win.
The Taifa stars squandered a potential winner of their own in the 93rd minute cross. Onyango dropped a dangerous cross into the area but was let off the hook as Msuva could not get to the rebound and substitute Charles M’Mombwa’s follow up went off target.
Onyango made a daring save with one minute remaining, rushing out of the box and sliding heroically to deny the breakaway.
Both sides will need wins on Tuesday if they are to stand a chance of making the knockout stages. Uganda will face Nigeria at the Fez Stadium in Fes and Tanzania will tackle Tunisia at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Uganda (0) 1 (Ikpeazu 80’)
Tanzania (0) 1 (Msuva 59’)
Uganda: D. Onyango, A. Kayondo, J. Obita, T. Sibbick, K. Semakula, B. Alhassan (D. Omedi 65’), T. Mutyaba (J. Bogere 77’), B. Byaruhanga, R. Mato, J. Ssemugabi (U. Ikpeazu 77’), A. Okello (R. Ssekiganda 96’)
Tanzania: Z. Foba, M. Husseini, I. Hamad, B. Mwamnyeto, H. Mnoga, S. Msuva, A. Msanga, F. Salum (C. M’Mombwa 84’), N. Miroshi, T. Allarakhia (M. Samatta 64’), K. John (D. Job 64’)
By Nic Gleeson