Two teams from the CECAFA Zone, Uganda and Tanzania, have been drawn into Group C of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.
The draw, conducted by CAF Director of Competitions and Events Samson Adamu, took place on Monday night at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco.
This year’s tournament will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, across six Moroccan cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier.
Uganda will be returning to the AFCON stage for the first time since 2019, when they reached the Round of 16 in Egypt. Meanwhile, Tanzania will make back-to-back appearances, having featured in the 2023 edition held in Ivory Coast.
Joining the CECAFA representatives in Group C are three-time champions Nigeria (winners in 1980, 1994, and 2013) and Tunisia, the 2024 champions.
Former Nigerian skipper Joseph Yobo, one of the legends present at the draw, expressed optimism about Nigeria’s chances while acknowledging the competitiveness of the group.
“Nigeria have a good set of players. But looking at the group, it will not be easy,” Yobo remarked during an interview.
Other groups and CECAFA representation
Elsewhere, CECAFA’s Sudan has been placed in Group E alongside two-time champions Algeria, Burkina Faso, and Equatorial Guinea. The hosts Morocco, fresh from their historic semi-final finish at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, are in Group A with Mali, Zambia, and Comoros. Record six-time champions Egypt will headline Group B alongside South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe.
The draw sets the stage for thrilling matchups, with Uganda and Tanzania aiming to make their mark against heavyweights like Nigeria and Tunisia. For Uganda, the journey to AFCON 2025 marks an opportunity to reestablish themselves among Africa’s elite, while Tanzania will seek to build on their recent momentum.
Fans across Africa will be eager to see how the tournament unfolds, especially with the diverse mix of footballing powerhouses and emerging teams battling for continental glory.
The Groups
Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
