Dar es Salaam. East African neighbours and fierce rivals Uganda and Tanzania will lock horns for the first time at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals when they meet in a decisive Group C encounter on December 27, 2025.
The match will take place at the Stade El Barid in Rabat, kicking off at 18:30 local time (20:30 EAT).
Both teams head into this derby under intense pressure following opening-match defeats.
Uganda fell 3–1 to Tunisia, while Tanzania suffered a narrow 2–1 loss to Nigeria.
With qualification hopes on the line, this fixture could prove pivotal in shaping the destiny of Group C.
Despite never having met at AFCON finals before, Uganda and Tanzania share a deep-rooted rivalry.
The two sides have faced each other 61 times across all competitions, with Uganda holding the historical advantage of 33 wins compared to Tanzania’s 12, while 16 matches have ended level.
Their most recent meetings during the 2023 AFCON qualifiers saw each side secure a 1–0 away victory, with Tanzania eventually qualifying ahead of Uganda.
Uganda will be desperate to break a long-standing AFCON trend.
Since the introduction of the group stage in 1968, the Cranes have never won their second group match at the tournament.
However, signs of encouragement emerged against Tunisia, as Denis Omedi’s stoppage-time goal ended a prolonged scoring drought.
The experience and leadership of midfielders such as Khalid Aucho and the energy of Rogers Mato will be crucial if Uganda are to turn their fortunes around.
Tanzania, on the other hand, are still searching for their first-ever win at the AFCON finals.
Nevertheless, the Taifa Stars have demonstrated resilience and attacking promise, particularly through Charles M’Mombwa, who has scored three of Tanzania’s last four goals in all competitions.
Goalkeeper Zuberi Lukomo was also in inspired form against Nigeria, making eight saves to keep his side in contention.
The match is further spiced by club connections across the border, with Uganda’s Khalid Aucho and Steven Mukwala both playing their domestic football in Tanzania, adding extra insight and emotion to an already heated contest.
With regional bragging rights, national pride and survival in the tournament all at stake, this East African derby promises a fiercely contested battle that could redefine the AFCON 2025 journey for either side.
