Uganda Cranes eye AFCON redemption against neighbors Tanzania after Tunisia setback
Looking ahead to the decisive East African derby against Tanzania on Saturday, 27 December 2025, at 8:30pm (EAT), Put urged his squad to show belief and character.
The Uganda Cranes opened their TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 campaign with a 3–1 defeat to Tunisia in their Group C opener at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
The loss sparked disappointment among fans back home in Uganda, with many voicing their displeasure—particularly across online sports platforms. However, the team has since turned the page on that difficult start and is now fully focused on bouncing back as they prepare to face regional rivals Tanzania in a crucial Group C encounter.
“We didn’t start the way we wanted, but this is a tournament and we know what we need to do to get a good result,” said Uganda Cranes forward Allan Okello.
Okello, who has delivered a series of consistent performances in recent matches, was unlucky not to feature in the starting lineup against Tunisia. Introduced late in the game, his influence was immediately felt as he played a key role in Uganda’s lone goal, scored by fellow substitute Dennis Omedi. Omedi, like Okello, came on in the second half and made a telling impact.
Despite the defeat, head coach Paul Put praised his players for their response, particularly after the break.
“We improved our intensity and aggression as the game went on. The reaction in the second half was encouraging, and this is the level we must start with,” Put said. “We will take the positives from this match and prepare strongly for the next one.”
Looking ahead to the decisive East African derby against Tanzania on Saturday, 27 December 2025, at 8:30pm (EAT), Put urged his squad to show belief and character.
“We have to stand up, we have to believe, give a good performance, and make everybody in Uganda happy,” he added.
Put and Okello were speaking at a pre-match press conference in Rabat. Attention now turns to the Tanzania clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, a fixture that presents an immediate opportunity for the Uganda Cranes to secure their first points of the tournament and revive their hopes of advancing to the knockout stage.
