Uganda, Tanzania renew East African rivalry in TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 Group C clash on Saturday

East African rivals Uganda and Tanzania will meet at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time when they face off in a crucial Group C encounter at the Stade El Madina in Rabat Saturday at 18h30 local time (17h30 GMT).

Both sides enter the fixture seeking their first points of the tournament after opening-round defeats. Uganda were beaten 3–1 by Tunisia, while Tanzania narrowly lost 2–1 to Nigeria.

Although this is their maiden meeting at the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON finals, Uganda and Tanzania are no strangers to one another. Their most recent encounters came during qualification for the 2023 edition, where the away team claimed 1–0 victories in both matches. Tanzania ultimately finished second in the group behind Algeria to secure qualification for the Côte d’Ivoire finals, edging out Uganda in the process.

The rivalry between the two neighbours dates back more than six decades. Their first recorded meeting took place on 8 September 1964, when Tanzania claimed a 3–0 victory in the East African Cup. Uganda’s biggest win in the fixture came in the CECAFA Cup on 30 November 1991, when they registered a commanding 5–0 triumph.

Historically, Uganda have struggled against fellow East African opposition at AFCON, losing both of their previous matches against Ethiopia in the group stages of the 1968 and 1976 tournaments. Tanzania’s only prior AFCON meeting against an East African rival ended in a narrow 3–2 defeat to Kenya during the group stage of the 2019 edition.

Adding further intrigue to the contest, Uganda midfielders Khalid Aucho and Steven Mukwala currently ply their trade in Tanzania, turning out for Singida Black Stars and Simba SC respectively.

With qualification hopes hanging in the balance, Saturday’s encounter promises intensity and will be decided by very fine margins as both nations look to keep their respective campaigns alive. 

WHAT WAS SAID

Paul Put – Uganda Coach

“I think we know the situation. We lost the openin game, which is not ideal in a tough competition like this. We have to focus on this upcoming game and put the result behind usbecause there is still a high chance of us progressing if we secure a good result. It is currently the most important game of the tournament, and we will have to be aggressive and secure the result we need.”

Allan Okello – Uganda Player

“We are focused on the next game. This is a tournament, so it is naturally difficult. Our objective remains is to get out of the group stage, and tomorrow we have to secure the result that will keep us in this competition and make our people proud back home.”

Miguel Gamondi – Tanzania Coach

“It was a good start despite the result. A win would be historic. Uganda are not a giant, but they are not an average team either. As East African nations, we are quite close in the level of competitiveness. All our encounters have been very competitive. This will not be an easy game. They had a strong qualification campaign, so we are on the same level. Character and temperament will decide the game.”

Simon Msuva – Tanzania Player

“We want to let our football do the talking on the field. We know they have quality and will be looking to win, but we also want to win and qualify to make our nation and people proud. In our last AFCON, we only picked up two points, and that is something we are determined to change.”

KEY STATISTIC

The two sides have faced each other 61 times across all competitions. Uganda have recorded 33 wins, Tanzania 12, with 16 draws.