Uganda & Tanzania end with 1-1 draw in AFCON 2025
Uganda & Tanzania end with 1-1 draw in AFCON 2025 following a night of intense drama and fluctuating fortunes at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. On Saturday, December 27, 2025, the historic East African derby lived up to its billing, delivering a high-stakes encounter that left fans on the edge of their seats. While the Uganda Cranes dominated much of the play, a clinical penalty from the Tanzania Taifa Stars turned the game on its head. It took a heroic Uche Ikpeazu equalizer to bring the Cranes level, but the headlines will unfortunately be shared with an Allan Okello missed penalty in the dying seconds of the match. This stalemate leaves both nations facing an uphill battle in the quest for knockout stage qualification.
First Half: Uganda Cranes Dominance Lacks the Finishing Touch
From the opening whistle, the Uganda Cranes showcased why they were considered favorites in this regional clash. Paul Put’s men implemented a high-press system that immediately put the Tanzania Taifa Stars on the back foot. Allan Okello, operating in a free-roaming playmaker role, was the standout performer early on, weaving through the Tanzanian midfield and forcing an impressive fingertip save from keeper Zuberi Foba as early as the 8th minute.
The Cranes continued to knock on the door throughout the first half. In the 16th minute, the stadium held its breath as Rogers Mato connected with a glancing header from a corner, only to see the ball rattle the crossbar and fly out of play. Despite controlling 56% of the ball and keeping Tanzania without a single shot on target before the break, the halftime score remained 0-0. The lack of clinical finishing in the final third began to haunt the Ugandan supporters.
Second Half: Penalty Drama and the Uche Ikpeazu Equalizer
The second half saw a significant shift in momentum. Against the run of play, the game sparked into life in the 57th minute when Uganda’s Baba Alhassan was penalized for a handball inside the penalty area. The experienced Simon Msuva stepped up for the Tanzania Taifa Stars, showing nerves of steel to calmly slot the penalty into the top corner. Suddenly, Uganda & Tanzania end with 1-1 draw in AFCON 2025 aspirations seemed like a distant dream for the Cranes as they trailed 1-0.
Manager Paul Put reacted swiftly, making tactical changes that would prove decisive. He introduced the physical presence of Uche Ikpeazu and the pace of Denis Omedi to stretch the Tanzanian defense. The gamble paid off handsomely in the 80th minute. Omedi delivered a pinpoint, whipping cross from the right wing that found the towering Uche Ikpeazu equalizer. Ikpeazu’s powerful diving header left the keeper with no chance and reignited the Ugandan spirit.
The Late Heartbreak: Allan Okello Missed Penalty
As the match entered stoppage time, the drama reached a fever pitch. In the 90th minute, Uganda was awarded a penalty of their own following a reckless foul by Haji Mnoga in the box. With the weight of the nation on his shoulders, Allan Okello stepped up to secure what would have been a famous victory. However, the Allan Okello missed penalty—a powerful strike that sailed agonizingly over the crossbar—meant that the opportunity to take all three points vanished into the Moroccan night.
Match Statistics Summary
| Statistic | Uganda 🇺🇬 | Tanzania 🇹🇿 |
| Score | 1 | 1 |
| Possession | 56% | 44% |
| Shots (On Target) | 12 (5) | 6 (2) |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 2 |
| Man of the Match | Uche Ikpeazu | Simon Msuva |
AFCON 2025 Group C Impact: A Precarious Position
The result means Uganda & Tanzania end with 1-1 draw in AFCON 2025, a scoreline that leaves both East African nations in a precarious position within AFCON 2025 Group C. Both teams now sit on just one point each after two matches, trailing behind the heavyweights, Tunisia and Nigeria.
Group C Table (As of Dec 27, 2025)
| Pos | Team | MP | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Tunisia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 2 | Nigeria | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 3 | Tanzania | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -1 | 1 |
| 4 | Uganda | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 |
With the group leaders set to play their second games shortly, the pressure on Uganda and Tanzania to win their final group matches—against Nigeria and Tunisia respectively—is now immense.
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Conclusion: Lessons for the Cranes and Taifa Stars
While Uganda & Tanzania end with 1-1 draw in AFCON 2025, both coaches will take positives and concerns into the final matchday. For Uganda, the Uche Ikpeazu equalizer proved they have the depth to fight back, but the Allan Okello missed penalty highlights a need for composure in high-pressure moments. For Tanzania, the defensive resilience shown after taking the lead was commendable, but they will need more than just penalties to breach the continent’s top defenses.
Mainstream Media References
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CAF Online
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Title: East African Derby ends in stalemate in Rabat
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Link: https://www.cafonline.com/afcon-2025/news/uganda-tanzania-draw
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BBC Sport Africa
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Title: Late penalty miss costs Uganda victory against Tanzania
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