Nigerian-born forward Uchechukwu Ikpeazu came off the bench to rescue a point for Tanzania in a tense Group Stage clash against Uganda at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, as the East African rivals met for the first time at the tournament at Stade El Barid in Rabat.
Uganda entered the match under pressure after a 3–1 defeat to Tunisia, while Tanzania were also looking to respond following a narrow 2–1 loss to Nigeria in their opening fixture. Although the sides had faced each other 61 times previously in all competitions, with Uganda winning 33 and Tanzania 12, this was their first-ever AFCON meeting.
The match began at a frantic pace, with both nations showing early ambition. Uganda went closest in the 16th minute when Rogers Mato met Abdu Aziizi Kayondo’s cross with a powerful header that crashed off the crossbar. Tanzania immediately tried to counter, but Uganda remained the more threatening side in the opening half, registering three attempts on goal while the Taifa Stars failed to test the goalkeeper.
The second half carried the same intensity, and Tanzania eventually found the breakthrough in the 57th minute. A handball by Baba Alhassan inside the area led to a penalty, and Saimon Msuva confidently converted, sending Denis Onyango the wrong way and igniting celebrations among the Tanzanian supporters.
Uganda pushed forward searching for a response, and their persistence paid off in the 81st minute when substitute Karl Uchechukwu Ikpeazu threw himself at a fine cross from Denis Omedi to steer home a diving header and level the game.
Drama followed in the closing stages. In the 88th minute Uganda were awarded a penalty after Haji Monga was penalised for pulling a shirt inside the box, but Allan Okello blasted his effort over the bar, missing the chance to claim all three points. Tanzania then almost snatched victory deep into added time when Saimon Msuva stabbed wide after Denis Onyango spilled the ball, but neither side could find a decisive strike.
The draw leaves both teams with only slim hopes of progressing to the round of 16. Uganda now turn their attention to a crucial meeting with Nigeria on December 30, while Tanzania face Tunisia on the same day as the group stage reaches its decisive phase.
