Rabat, Morocco: Uganda’s national football team, The Cranes, opened their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign with a 3–1 defeat to Tunisia national football team in a Group C encounter played on Tuesday night.
Head coach Paul Put named Salim Magoola in goal ahead of veterans Denis Onyango and Nafian Alionzi. The backline featured Toby Sibbick, Abdu Azizi Kayondo, Jordan Obita and Rogers Torach.
Midfield duties were handled by Kenneth Ssemakula alongside captain Khalid Aucho, while the attacking unit comprised Rogers Mato, Steven Mukwala, Jude Ssemugabi and Lorenzen Melvyn.
Tunisia asserted dominance from kickoff, pressing high and dictating play. Their pressure paid off in the 10th minute when Ellyes Skhiri struck to give the North Africans an early lead.
The Tunisians doubled their advantage in the 40th minute through Mohamed Elyes Achouri, heading into the break 2–0 up.
Uganda made changes early in the second half, introducing Travis Mutyaba for Lorenzen Melvyn and Denis Omedi for Jude Ssemugabi. Mutyaba later won a corner that sparked a penalty appeal for handball, but the referee waved play on.
Tunisia struck again in the 64th minute, with Achouri completing his brace from close range to make it 3–0, but Uganda continued to push and found a late breakthrough in the 90th minute when Denis Omedi pulled one back with a deflected effort that beat the Tunisian goalkeeper.
A late save by Magoola denied Tunisia a fourth, sealing a 3–1 win for the North Africans, who moved top of Group C with maximum points.
In the other Group C fixture, Nigeria national football team edged Tanzania national football team 2–1. Semi Ajayi opened the scoring before Ademola Lookman netted the winner after Tanzania’s equaliser.
Uganda Cranes next face regional rivals Tanzania national football team on Saturday, the 27th.
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