Uganda and Tanzania played out a tense and dramatic draw in their Group C clash at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday night, a result that left both sides still firmly in contention but visibly frustrated after chances to claim all three points slipped away.
Played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, the encounter lived up to the rivalry between the East African neighbours, producing moments of quality, controversy and late drama that kept fans on edge until the final whistle.
After a cagey first half marked by physical midfield battles and cautious build-up play, Tanzania broke the deadlock in the 59th minute. Winger Simon Msuva calmly converted from the penalty spot after a Ugandan defender was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area, giving the Taifa Stars a crucial lead.
The goal forced Uganda Cranes to push forward in search of an equaliser, and head coach Paul Put responded by introducing more attacking options. Midfielder Allan Okello, one of Uganda’s most creative players, grew increasingly influential as the game opened up, probing the Tanzanian defence with quick passes and long-range efforts.
Uganda’s pressure eventually paid off late in the match when a well-worked move resulted in a dramatic equaliser, sending the Ugandan bench into celebration and silencing Tanzanian supporters who had begun to sense victory. The goal ensured the points were shared, though both teams felt they had done enough to win.
Okello cut a frustrated figure at full time, reflecting the mood in the Ugandan camp. While pleased with the team’s fighting spirit, he admitted the Cranes missed opportunities to take control earlier in the match. “We showed character, but at this level you must be more clinical,” he said after the game.
Tanzania coach Adel Amrouche, meanwhile, praised his side’s discipline but lamented their inability to close out the match after taking the lead. “We defended well for long periods, but one lapse cost us,” he noted.
The draw leaves Group C finely balanced, with Nigeria and Tunisia also in the mix following their earlier results. With qualification for the knockout stages still wide open, both Uganda and Tanzania know that their remaining fixtures will be decisive.
For East African football fans, the Rabat showdown was another reminder of how far the region has come on the continental stage—competitive, fearless, and increasingly capable of matching Africa’s traditional powerhouses.
