Uganda and Tanzania Renew East African Rivalry in Historic AFCON Clash at 8:30PM
Since their first encounter on 8 September 1964 — when Tanzania claimed a 3–0 victory in the East African Cup — the teams have faced each other 61 times across all competitions. Uganda hold the historical edge, recording 33 wins compared to Tanzania’s 12, with 16 matches ending in draws.
East African rivals Uganda and Tanzania will lock horns for the first time at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations when they meet in a decisive Group C encounter at the Stade El Barid in Rabat on Saturday, 27 December. Kick-off is scheduled for 18h30 local time (17h30 GMT).
The fixture carries significant weight for both sides after difficult starts to their Morocco 2025 campaigns. Uganda opened with a 3–1 defeat to Tunisia, while Tanzania narrowly fell 2–1 to Nigeria. With qualification hopes already under pressure, the match presents an opportunity for redemption and regional bragging rights.
A Rivalry Enters a New Chapter
While this is the first time Uganda and Tanzania are meeting at AFCON finals, the two neighbours share a long and storied rivalry spanning more than six decades. Since their first encounter on 8 September 1964 — when Tanzania claimed a 3–0 victory in the East African Cup — the teams have faced each other 61 times across all competitions.
Uganda hold the historical edge, recording 33 wins compared to Tanzania’s 12, with 16 matches ending in draws. The Cranes also boast the most emphatic result in the fixture, a 5–0 victory in the 1991 CECAFA Cup.
Their most recent competitive meetings came during qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where both sides won their respective home fixtures 1–0. Tanzania ultimately finished second in the group, ahead of Uganda, to secure a place at the Côte d’Ivoire finals.
Uganda Seeking to Break AFCON Trends
Uganda arrive in Rabat under pressure, with history offering little comfort. The loss to Tunisia marked their 17th defeat in 24 AFCON finals matches and extended a difficult run that has seen them win just one of their last nine games at the tournament.
The Cranes have now lost their opening match in five of their eight AFCON appearances and have never won their second group game since the introduction of the group stage format in 1968. They have also lost their last three AFCON matches, a sequence they will be desperate to halt.
Despite the defeat to Tunisia, there were some positives. Denis Omedi’s stoppage-time strike ended a 376-minute goal drought at AFCON and stood as Uganda’s latest goal at the finals since records began in 1974. Jordan Obita was influential in midfield, leading the match for touches and completed passes, while Rogers Mato stood out defensively, contesting and winning more duels than any other player.
Uganda will also draw confidence from familiarity within the Tanzanian setup. Midfielders Khalid Aucho and Steven Mukwala both ply their trade in Tanzania with Singida Black Stars and Simba SC respectively, with Aucho working under Tanzania head coach Miguel Gamondi at club level.
Tanzania Chasing a Breakthrough
Tanzania, meanwhile, continue their search for a maiden AFCON victory. Their loss to Nigeria was their seventh defeat in 10 matches at the finals, leaving them among a small group of teams yet to record a win in their first 10 AFCON appearances.
However, the Taifa Stars have shown an ability to compete and score at the highest level. They have found the net in six of their 10 AFCON matches, including in all four of their tournament appearances. Charles M’Mombwa, who scored against Nigeria, has emerged as a key attacking outlet, contributing three of Tanzania’s last four goals in all competitions while also leading defensive pressure metrics.
Goalkeeper Zuberi Lukomo was another standout in the opening round, making eight saves against Nigeria — the third-highest tally by any goalkeeper in the first set of group matches — as Tanzania faced sustained pressure.
Historically, Tanzania have struggled in second group matches at AFCON, failing to win any of their previous three. They have suffered defeats to Egypt in 1980 and Kenya in 2019, with their only positive result a 1–1 draw against Zambia at the 2023 edition. A goal against Uganda would mark their first time scoring in successive AFCON matches since 1980.
East African Pride at Stake
Both teams carry the burden of unfavourable AFCON records, but Saturday’s encounter offers a chance to rewrite history. Uganda are seeking their first second-group-match victory, while Tanzania are hunting a long-awaited breakthrough win at the finals.
Beyond qualification mathematics, the fixture is a landmark moment for East African football — the first AFCON finals meeting between two long-standing regional rivals. With pride, momentum and tournament survival on the line, Uganda versus Tanzania promises a fiercely contested and emotionally charged contest in Rabat.
