AFCON 2025: Tanzania and Uganda share spoils in electrifying rollercoaster

This is what AFCON is all about: high-intense drama and battle with so many unforgettable moments!

Uganda and Tanzania drew on Saturday night (1-1) in a group C clash at Al-Barid Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, which saw 90+8 minutes of some incredible skirmish.

All in all, a deserved stalemate that won't satisfy either side, as both were eager to clinch their maiden win, thus getting back into contention for the knockout stage following the opening losses to Nigeria and Tunisia.

A slow-paced first half didn't promise too much, though, as the Ugandans were dominant, yet incapable of reaping the dividends of that determined approach. Aziz Kayondo led the Cranes with several promising attempts with his dangerous left, but he was off target on two early occasions.

When Tanzania's keeper Zuberi Foba denied Allan Okello's right-footed effort from inside the box, and Rogers Mato hit the bar with a header, it was clear that Uganda would have a difficult task of finding the back of the net in tonight's clash.

On the other hand, the Taifa Stars had to wait for their first promising chance in the opening half, but even when Kelvin John's header from the centre of the box missed the top right corner, it was a sign of better times to come for the underdogs. After the restart, Simon Msuva was so close to scoring, which would have happened if it wasn't for that ill-fated finishing.

However, only a few minutes later, the game took a completely different course as Baba Alhassan's handball in the penalty area was rightfully sanctioned with a spot kick.

Msuva redeemed himself by converting it for a 1-0 lead.

Still, it was far from over, as Uganda kept believing and pushing - not just for an equaliser, but for a complete comeback.

That sort of approach paid off for them near the end, as Uche Ikpeazu nailed an eye-pleasing header to make it 1-1.

And then the total drama erupted.

A few minutes later Haji Mnoga of Tanzania took down James Bogere in the penalty area, and now the Cranes were given a chance of a lifetime to grab a late victory from the spot. Unlike Msuva on the other end, however, Okello's penalty went high over the crossbar, resulting in an anti-climax.

Moreover, the Taifa Stars found themselves in a perfect position to seal the victory after all. Alas, Charles M'Mombwa missed a sitter from a rebound from a close range, to his teammates' obvious disappointment and despair.

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS - GROUP STAGE

Friday

Angola - Zimbabwe 1-1 (1-1)

/Dala 24 - Musona 45+6/

Egypt - South Africa 1-0 (1-0)

/Salah 45 pen/

Zambia - Comoros 0-0

Morocco - Mali 1-1 (1-0)

/Diaz 45+5 pen - Sinayoko 64 pen/

Saturday

Benin - Botswana 1-0 (1-0)

/Roche 28/

Senegal - DR Congo 1-1 (0-0)

/Mane 69 - Bakambu 61/

Uganda - Tanzania 1-1 (0-0)

/Ikpeazu 80 - Msuva 59 pen/

23.00: (2.40) Nigeria (3.10) Tunisia (3.20)

Sunday

15.30: (1.92) Gabon (3.35) Mozambique (4.30)

18.00: (2.50) Equatorial Guinea (3.10) Sudan (3.05)

20.30: (2.00) Algeria (3.35) Burkina Faso (4.00)

23.00: (2.20) Ivory Coast (3.15) Cameroon (3.60)

***odds are subject to change***