Uganda’s Cranes return to action today determined to revive their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 campaign when they face East African rivals Tanzania in a historic Group C encounter.
The match, scheduled for this evening at Stade El Barid in Rabat, marks the first time Uganda and Tanzania are meeting at the Africa Cup of Nations finals, despite a rivalry that stretches back more than six decades. Kick-off is set for 6:30pm local time (5:30pm GMT).
Uganda head into the clash under pressure after a 3–1 loss to Tunisia in their opening game, a result that left the Cranes rooted near the bottom of Group C. Tanzania are in a similar situation, having been edged 2–1 by Nigeria in their first outing, making today’s fixture crucial for both sides’ hopes of progressing.
For Uganda, the encounter offers a chance to rewrite some unwanted AFCON history. The Cranes have never won their second group match at the finals since the introduction of the group stage in 1968, and they are currently on a four-match winless run at the tournament. Another defeat today would leave qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
Historically, however, Uganda will draw confidence from their dominance over Tanzania. In 61 previous meetings across all competitions, Uganda have won 33 times, compared to Tanzania’s 12 victories, with 16 draws. The Cranes’ most emphatic win in the rivalry was a 5–0 triumph in the 1991 CECAFA Cup.
Recent encounters have been more balanced. During qualification for the 2023 AFCON, the two sides exchanged 1–0 away victories, with Tanzania eventually finishing above Uganda in the group to secure qualification.
Today’s match also carries a personal subplot for Uganda, with midfielders Khalid Aucho and Steven Mukwala both plying their club football in Tanzania. Aucho plays for Singida Black Stars, where he is coached by current Tanzania head coach Miguel Gamondi, while Mukwala turns out for giants Simba SC.
Uganda will be encouraged by Denis Omedi’s late goal against Tunisia, which ended a long goal drought at AFCON and showed the Cranes’ fighting spirit despite the defeat. The challenge now is to build on that momentum and translate it into points.
With both teams chasing their first win of the tournament and regional pride on the line, today’s East African derby promises intensity, urgency and high stakes — exactly what Uganda need as they look to keep their AFCON dream alive.
