Two teams that lost their first games in the Africa Cup of Nations will clash this Saturday at Stade El Barid in Rabat.

If either team loses, they might get knocked out early from Africa’s big tournament, so both teams will really want to win this one.

Match in short

Uganda didn't have a great start to their Africa Cup of Nations. They lost 3-1 to Tunisia in their first match.

Now, Paul Put’s team needs to beat Tanzania on Saturday to avoid getting kicked out of the tournament. But their recent play hasn't been good.

After losing to Tunisia, they’ve now lost three of their last four matches in all competitions and only won one.

It doesn't look good when it comes to AFCON, having lost six of their last nine games.

Uganda will want to avoid losing three straight for the first time since November 2023.

Plus, if they lose, it will make it harder to advance because they still have to play Nigeria in their last group match.

Still, they’ll think they have a chance against Tanzania, which has been struggling.

Tanzania hasn’t won in eight matches in all competitions (D2, L6), and they’ve lost their last five.

After losing to Nigeria on Tuesday, they are still looking for their first-ever victory at the AFCON after 10 matches (three draws and seven losses).

You’d have to go back to early August to find the last time Hemed Suleiman’s team won, which was a close 2–1 victory over Madagascar.

They’ve scored four goals in their last two matches, including one against Nigeria. The Taifa Stars have been better on attack, having failed to score in their three previous matches.

But they still need to work on defence. They haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last seven matches and have allowed 12 goals.

Team updates

For Uganda, things are the same with injuries. No new issues before Saturday's match.

Besides Yakoub Suleiman and Feisal Salum, who both missed the first match, everyone else is ready to play.

We probably won’t see much change in the team that the coach will pick on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Tanzania might also go with the same team that started against Nigeria, so Zuberi Foba will probably start.

Even though he let in two goals, the goalie played well and stopped Nigeria’s attack a bunch of times.

Defender Novatus Miroshi, who plays for Goztepe in Turkey, played in midfield against Nigeria and did great.

He’ll likely team up with Alphonce Msanga in defensive midfield again to protect the defence.

Uganda might start with:

Magoola; Sibbick, Torach, Obita, Kayondo; Ssemugabi, Semakula, Aucho, Mato; Lorenzen, Mukwala

Tanzania might start with:

Foba; Kapombe, Mwamnyeto, Hamad, Hussein; Mirishi, Msanga; Msuva, M’Mbobwa, Allarkhia; Samatta

After working nonstop for months, the Hoima City Stadium in Hoima, Uganda, is all set to open! The Turkish company, MS Summa, gave the finished sports place to the government on Monday, December 22.

President Yoweri Museveni will cut the ribbon at the official opening on Wednesday, Christmas Eve. The stadium fits 20,000 people and can be used for all sorts of sports.

Uganda hired Summa for this $129 million project back in June 2024. They're getting ready to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Kenya and Tanzania.

They've been working hard, day and night, to finish it.

Summa gave the stadium to the National Council of Sports (NCS) on behalf of the government just before the big opening.

Folks from the Ministry of Education and Sports and the Ministry of Works and Transport were there. They've been checking on the project as it went along.

Rev. Canon Dr Duncans Mugumya, who is in charge of physical education and sports, ran the handover event at the stadium. He stood in for Dr Kedrace Turyagenda, the main person at the education ministry.

Uganda gave Summa a paper that said they finished the job.

Murat Altun, Summa's project manager, showed the government people around the stadium.

Then, the Turkish company gave the stadium to the government, with Ambrose Tashobya, head of the NCS board, in charge.

The officials thanked President Museveni and First Lady Janet Museveni, who is the education minister, for helping to make the Hoima City Stadium happen with money and support.

They also said the contractor did a great job, working hard and fast and doing it right and on time.

Summa actually finished the project five months early.

Project manager Eng. Ivan Gombya and his team of engineers were also praised for watching over the work.

Tickets: What You Need to Know

Everything is ready for Wednesday's opening by President Museveni. There will be sports and fun.

The NCS said the gates open at 9 a.m., and you need a ticket to get in.

Someone on X asked if it should be free.

NCS replied, "Most people coming are from Hoima, but they need tickets because of the stadium's system and how many seats there are." The tickets aren't being sold to them.

There will be a relay race, a soccer game between Kitara FC and KCCA FC, and a rugby game too.

They're also planning a fireworks show to end the day with a bang.