Group C
Results
*Uganda 1-1 Tanzania
*Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia
Table
- Nigeria- 6pts
- Tunisia – 3
- Tanzania – 1
- Uganda – 1
Allan Okello missed a late crucial penalty as Uganda Cranes played out a 1-1 draw with Tanzania in their penultimate Group C AFCON 2025 game at Al Medina Stadium, Rabat.
With the game tied at one, after Uche Ikpeazu had canceled out Simon Msuva’s opener, the Cranes were awarded a penalty in added time after teenage James Bogere had been pulled down!
Okello, who plies his trade with Vipers, stepped up to take it, and after breathless moments, he blazed the effort over the bar.
The Taifa Stars broke the deadlock just before the break after the referee awarded a penalty following a handball by Alhassan Baba.
Msuva did not mistake, striking it brilliantly into the roof after veteran Cranes goalkeeper Denis Onyango had dived wrongly to his left.
The equaliser came in the 80th minute after Ikpeazu, who had come on three minutes earlier for Jude Ssemugabi, headed in off Denis Omedi’s neat cross.
As it continued to rain heavily, it remained an end to end affair in what turned out to be an entertaining East Africa derby.
Youngster Bogere, another substitute, was pulled down in the area for the crucial penalty which Okello fluffed.
Brave Okello leaves Cranes at the abyss
Uganda Cranes, with just a point after two games following their opening defeat against Tunisia, need nothing but maximum points in the last game against Nigeria if they are to go through the group.
Just a reminder that the top two teams of each group, along with the best four third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 16.
From the opening whistle, the Cranes showed intent despite lacking urgency at times.
They came closest to opening the scores in the 15th minute when Rogers Mato headed onto the crossbar after Aziz Kayondo’s cross.
Okello twice came close, but denied by the goalkeeper on both occasions.
Travis Mutyaba also failed to capitalise on a defensive blunder after Tanzania defender Ibrahim Hamad lost possession at his box edge, with the attacker’s shot blocked.
The chances in the second half, despite the goals, were far and apart for either side.
But the crucial moment, what would have been the turning point was that fluffed penalty in added time.
Okello will get the credit for showing bravery and stand on the spot to carry the hopes of a nation, but his missed chance will never be forgotten.
A draw leaves Cranes at the bottom of the four-team group, needing nothing but three points in the last game against Nigeria.
Lineups Used
Uganda – Denis Onyango, Toby Sibbick, Aziz Kayondo, Jordan Obita, Alhassan Baba, Kenneth Ssemakula, Bobosi Byaruhanga, Allan Okello, Jude Ssemugabi, Travis Mutyaba, Rogers Mato
Tanzania – Zuberi Masudi, Ibrahim Hamad, Fiesal Abdallah, Simon Msuva, Bakari Nondo, Mohamed Mohamed, Novatus Miroshi, Kelvin John, Hajji Mnoga, Tarryn Allarakhia, Alphonce Msanga
