Uganda and Tanzania will be eager to bounce back when they face off in a decisive Group A encounter at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 today at 8 PM EAT at El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia. Both teams come into this match after suffering heavy defeats in their opening fixtures. Uganda fell 5-0 to hosts Morocco, while Tanzania lost 4-1 to Zambia. With both sides chasing their first points of the tournament, this match carries significant weight.
Ssenyondo: “We Have No Other Chance Apart from Now”
Uganda Cubs head coach Brian Ssenyondo recognizes the importance of the clash, labeling it a “derby” due to the regional rivalry between the two teams. “They are our rivals, and we both lost our first games. This makes the match very difficult, but we have prepared well over the past days to ensure we present ourselves strongly against Tanzania. We have no other chance apart from tomorrow, and I believe we shall play very well to get maximum points,” said Ssenyondo.
Despite some injury concerns in the squad, he remains hopeful that his team can deliver. “We have a few injury concerns from our previous game, like Bogere, Magala, Torach, and Lukyamuzi, and we are waiting for the doctors’ final report,” he added.
Following the heavy loss to Morocco, Ssenyondo acknowledges the disappointment among fans but is confident the team will respond. “I know fans back home are disappointed with the previous result, and we are also disappointed, but football gives you another chance. We believe we shall make things right against Tanzania because our target is to qualify for the World Cup.”
Players Ready to Step Up
Uganda forward James Bogere and midfielder Ethan Oyedele share their coach’s optimism, vowing to fight for a positive result. Bogere, who has previously faced Tanzania, stressed the importance of the right mentality. “We know Tanzania very well, having played against them twice recently. They are a good side, but we have to come with the right mentality and character. The boys are very motivated, and they know what this match means to us. As a player, I know what I am capable of doing, and I believe against Tanzania, I can do it.”
Oyedele echoed similar sentiments, determined to use this match as an opportunity for redemption. “The result against Morocco isn’t something we expected, and it left us disappointed, but we have a chance to redeem ourselves against Tanzania. We know it won’t be easy, but we have to fight to achieve our dream of qualifying for the World Cup.”
This will be the second meeting between Uganda and Tanzania at the U-17 AFCON finals. Their first encounter came in 2019, when Uganda defeated Tanzania 3-0 in Dar es Salaam, although both teams failed to progress past the group stage. Most recently, the two sides met in the qualifiers for Morocco 2025, drawing 1-1 in the group stage before Uganda won 2-1 in the final. Notably, Tanzania took the lead in both matches but failed to hold on.
Pictorial: Last Training
