Uganda Cranes and Tanzania’s Taifa Stars, played out a tense 1-1 draw in their AFCON 2025 Group C matchday two encounter at Al Medina Stadium on Saturday night, a result that leaves both sides with work to do as the group reaches a decisive stage.
The contest began with urgency from Uganda, who were looking to bounce back from a 3-1 defeat to Tunisia in their tournament opener.
Head coach Paul Put made notable changes to his starting XI, handing veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango his first start of the competition and recalling Allan Okello to the lineup. While Gamondi also recalled Fei Toto back to the starting lineup having their 2-1 loss against Nigeria.
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Uganda share Spoils with Tanzania
From kick-off, the Cranes pressed high and showed clear intent, pinning Tanzania back in their own half.
Early chances followed. Aziz Kayondo tried his luck from distance while Okello forced Zuberi Foba into a sharp save with a low effort from the edge of the area.
Uganda continued to apply pressure, coming agonisingly close in the 12th minute when Rogers Mato rose highest to meet Kayondo’s cross, only to see his header crash off the crossbar.
Tanzania struggled to settle, with Feisal Salum caught offside on a rare counterattack as Uganda dictated the tempo.
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Despite Uganda’s dominance, Tanzania showed they could be dangerous. Just before halftime, Kelvin John nearly stole the lead for the Taifa Stars, but Onyango produced a superb save, flying to his right to keep the scores level at 0-0 at the break.
The second half brought a shift in momentum. In the 57th minute, Uganda conceded a penalty after Baba Alhassan was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box.
Simon Msuva stepped up two minutes later and calmly dispatched the spot kick into the top left corner, giving Tanzania a crucial 1-0 lead.
Uganda responded with urgency but frustration crept in. Onyango was booked in the 71st minute as tensions rose in the penalty area, with the Cranes throwing numbers forward in search of an equaliser. Their persistence finally paid off in the 80th minute.
Denis Omedi delivered a teasing cross from the right, and Uche Ikpeazu timed his run perfectly to power a header into the net, bringing Uganda back on level terms and igniting belief on the bench and in the stands.
Late drama followed. With six minutes of added time on the board, Uganda were handed a golden opportunity to complete the comeback.
A foul in the box by Haji Mnoga, earned the Cranes a penalty with just two minutes remaining. However, Okello’s spot kick was saved, denying Uganda what would have been a dramatic winner.
At full time, the scoreboard read Uganda 1-1 Tanzania.
Both teams showed improvement after opening-day defeats, but missed chances and costly moments meant neither could claim all three points.
With qualification still in the balance, the Cranes and the Taifa Stars now head into their final group matches knowing that fine margins could yet decide their AFCON 2025 fate.
Uganda will face Nigeria while Tanzania square it out against Tunisia in their final group stage matches.
