Uganda, Tanzania share points in East African Derby
Uganda and Tanzania the East African rivals shared the points in a tense 1-1 draw at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, during their AFCON 2025 Group C clash. Simon Msuva’s penalty gave Tanzania the lead before Uche Ikpeazu equalized late for Uganda.
The opening half was cagey, with both sides struggling to break down each other’s defenses. Uganda looked more adventurous, with Allan Okello and Rogers Mato testing the Tanzanian backline early on. Tanzania relied on quick counters, with Salum and Kelvin John probing from midfield. Despite Uganda’s 55% possession, neither side found the breakthrough before halftime.
The game shifted in the 59th minute when Simon Msuva converted a penalty to put Tanzania ahead. Uganda responded by increasing their attacking intensity, introducing fresh legs in midfield. Their persistence paid off in the 80th minute when Uche Ikpeazu powered home the equalizer after a clever assist from Denis Omedi. The final minutes were tense, with both teams pushing forward, but neither could find a winner.
Match Statistics
Uganda edged possession and created more chances, but Tanzania’s defensive resilience kept them in the game.
| Stat | Uganda | Tanzania |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 55% | 45% |
| Shots (on target) | 14 (6) | 10 (1) |
| Corners | 7 | 3 |
| Saves | 0 | 5 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 2 |
Coaches’ Reactions
Uganda coach Paul Put expressed mixed feelings: “We controlled much of the game and created chances, but we must be sharper in front of goal. Ikpeazu’s equalizer showed our fighting spirit.”
Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi praised his side’s resilience: “We defended well against a strong Ugandan team. Msuva’s penalty gave us belief, and though we conceded late, this point keeps us alive in the group.”
The 1-1 draw leaves both Uganda and Tanzania with one point each after two matches, keeping their qualification hopes alive but adding pressure ahead of their final group fixtures. Uganda will need to convert dominance into goals when they face Nigeria, while Tanzania will look to build on their defensive organization and capitalize on counterattacks against the Tunisians.
Group C Standings (After 2 Games Each)
| Position | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | +/- | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigeria | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | +2 | 6 |
| 2 | Tunisia | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | +1 | 3 |
| 3 | Uganda | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 1 |
| 4 | Tanzania | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
