Today is the day of reckoning for East African representation at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Tanzania and Uganda, incidentally placed in the same group, similarly face a must-win situation in their Group “C” final matches to have any chance of surviving in the tournament.
They are both on one point with an outside chance of finishing second in the group. The more realistic scenario is either side securing a third spot and hoping to be one of the four best third-placed finishers to advance to the round of 16.
Uganda take on group leaders Nigeria at Fez Stadium while Tanzania tackle second-placed Tunisia at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. Both matches kick off at 7pm (Kenyan time).
While the two 2027 Afcon co-hosts, who battled to a 1-1 draw on Saturday, survive?
If you love your social media, the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations game between Uganda and Nigeria should never happen.
“Look at the team that want(s) to beat Nigeria,” one fan says in a widely circulated video showing Uganda Cranes arriving at their tournament team camp in Rabat.
“With your low budget, you want to beat Nigeria,” he asks, rhetorically.
For context, the West African country’s budget is over $36.4 billion (about Sh4.694 trillion)
As a culture, it’s easy to describe the Nigerians as arrogant and outspoken. Most of it is earned as they boast one of Africa’s biggest economies.
They also dominate the African movie scene through Nollywood. In football, their three African titles and seven African player of the year awards should be the envy of Uganda Cranes.
With two wins from as many games for six points, Nigeria are through as group winners. Only one of three, Tunisia (three points), Tanzania (1), and Uganda (1) can join them as automatic qualifiers.
The third team has to finish as one of the four best third-placed teams across the 12 groups in the 24-team tournament.
All the gentility associated with the Cranes must be thrown out of the window against the incredibly powerful Super Eagles.
Uganda Cranes player Allan Okello plays against Tanzania in Group C of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Tournament in Rabat on December 27, 2025
Photo credit: Pool
Across two games, Nigeria have scored five goals while conceding three.
“We must stay positive and show a lot of spirit,” Put said after drawing 1-all with Tanzania at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat on Saturday.
Substitute Uche Mubiru got the equaliser, but Allan Okello’s penalty missed in added time left a bitter taste in the East African derby.
“We must all put an arm around him. It (missing penalties) happens,” goalkeeper Denis Onyango said.
After a very conservative lineup in the opening 3-1 loss to Tunisia last Tuesday, Put went for broke, picking both Travis Mutyaba and Okello.
There is no reason the Belgian will go for the same approach with the imposing Uche pushing to start against the birthplace of his father.
He could also retain Onyango in goal after the 40-year-old ticked many boxes in his fourth game since returning from retirement that lasted four years.
At the front, Jude Ssemugabi and Rogers Mato need to find some kind of product, lest they exit the tournament with no special memories.
In Turkey-based striker Victor Osihmen, the 2023 African player of the year, Nigeria have one of the world’s best centre forwards.
There is so much quality across the pack with Fulham trio Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze, impossible to ignore.
Playing them also means you must also find a way to stop Italy-based forward Ademola Lookman, the 2024 African Player of the Year, who has chalked up 55 goals in 104 appearances for Serie “A” side Atalanta.
Tunisia will look to wrap up the second round of 16 ticket in the group. The Carthage Eagles thumped Uganda 3-1 in their opening match and will be confident of a good result against their other East African opponents today in Rabat.
