Morocco: Uganda Cranes will be under intense pressure on Saturday evening when they face regional rivals Tanzania Taifa Stars in a must-win Group C encounter at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The match kicks off at 6:30pm on December 27, 2025, with Uganda seeking to revive their AFCON campaign after a disappointing 3–1 opening loss to Tunisia, which left them third in the group.
A second straight defeat would all but end Uganda’s hopes of progressing, making Saturday’s fixture a decisive test for head coach Paul Put, who is expected to deploy a full-strength lineup.
Victory against Tanzania would keep the Cranes in contention heading into their final group game.
Uganda struggled in their opener against group leaders Tunisia, managing just one shot on target as defensive lapses proved costly. The defeat marked another setback against North African opposition, increasing scrutiny on the Cranes’ tactical approach.
Put is expected to build his midfield around Allan Okello, tasked with dictating tempo and unlocking Tanzania’s defence, while Rogers Kassim Mato is likely to spearhead the attack.
Tanzania Also Chasing First AFCON Win
Tanzania enter the contest equally desperate after a 2–1 loss to Nigeria, a result that extended the Taifa Stars’ winless AFCON finals run to eight matches.
Captain Mbwana Samatta will be key to their hopes, while creative midfielder Feisal Salum is expected to provide attacking spark. Forward Charles M’Mombwa, who scored against Nigeria, is set to retain his place.
Coach Miguel Gamondi has no major injury concerns but may tweak his defence after conceding twice in the opener.
Head-to-Head: East African Rivalry
Uganda hold a slight historical edge in this rivalry, having won 12 of the last 20 meetings, with four draws and four losses. However, recent encounters highlight how evenly matched the teams have become, with both sides winning 1–0 away during the 2023 AFCON qualifiers.
The fixture is typically tight and low-scoring. Only three of Uganda’s last 11 competitive matches have seen both teams score, while Tanzania have recorded goals at both ends in just three of their last nine outings.
With both teams seeking their first points of the tournament, Saturday’s clash is expected to be cautious but intense. For Uganda, anything less than victory would leave qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
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