GROUP C ANALYSIS: UGANDA FACES TUNISIA, NIGERIA, TANZANIA TEST IN AFCON
Uganda's AFCON 2025 journey begins in Group C vs Tunisia, Tanzania, and Nigeria. Preview their chances and the road to hosting 2027.
Uganda is back on the big stage at the Africa Cup of Nations! They're in Group C, which looks pretty even, together with Tunisia, Tanzania, and Nigeria. Plus, they're getting ready to co-host the whole thing in 2027.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is in Morocco, and everyone's expecting a great show.
For Uganda, this isn't just about being in the finals. It's about taking their shot, showing what they've got, and making a name for themselves. Group C? It's got a mix of strong teams, local rivalries, and anything-can-happen vibes.
First Up: Tunisia
Uganda starts against Tunisia on December 23. Tunisia is known for being tough and experienced at this tournament.
They've won all five of their matches against Uganda, including an 8-0 beatdown in a previous qualifier—not a great memory for Uganda.
Tunisia has been at almost every tournament since the mid-90s and usually makes it to the knockout rounds.
They're all about structure and staying calm. Uganda's going to need to be smart and focused.
Coach Paul Put is hoping that the recent 4-0 loss to Morocco taught them a thing or two about playing against the best.
Tanzania: A Familiar Foe
Four days after Tunisia, it's Tanzania. East African derbies are always intense—familiar faces, similar styles, and a shared love of the game.
Tanzania is getting better, with good organisation and quick attacks.
This game is a preview of what's to come, with both teams co-hosting the 2027 AFCON. Pride and bragging rights are definitely on the line.
Nigeria: A Wounded Giant
Uganda finishes Group C against Nigeria on December 30. They've got tons of attacking talent, no question.
But the challenge for Nigeria is to play as a team. When they're on, they're amazing, but they can also have slip-ups.
Uganda needs to be ready for anything, especially since Nigeria is still upset about missing the 2026 World Cup.
This match is another chance for Uganda to see how they measure up against one of Africa's best.
Group Breakdown
Group C might not be the toughest group, but it's got a lot going on.
Tunisia has history and a solid team, Tanzania is a familiar rival, and Nigeria has the star power.
Uganda is in a good spot, with a lot to gain. They'll need to work hard, stay disciplined, and play good defence to get through this group.
With Kenya not in the tournament, Uganda and Tanzania are the only East African teams left, so they've got a responsibility to represent the region well.
From Morocco to 2027
After the 2025 AFCON, the focus turns to 2027, which will be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. They call it Pamoja, which means togetherness.
The CAF has already set up the qualification groups, with the hosts getting an automatic spot.
The group winners and the three best runners-up will go straight to the tournament, with the rest of the runners-up playing in a playoff round.
The qualifiers are in March, September, and October 2026, with playoffs in November.
For Uganda, Morocco is more than just a tournament. How they play, how the team comes together, their tactics, and the improvements they make to their facilities will all play a part as they get ready to host the tournament in 2027.
From the pressure of Group C to the excitement of hosting the tournament, Uganda is starting a big two-year chapter in their football story.
KCCA BOUNCE BACK: KASASIRO BOYS OVERCOME RECENT SLUMP WITH A GRITTY 2-1 BUL WIN
KCCA are back: Discover how Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Herbert Achai secured a 2-1 win over Bul to rejoin the UPL title race.
Ivan Ahimbisibwe and Herbert Achai both found the net for KCCA, either side of a Denis Sewagudde goal, in a win that really should let coaches Ssenyondo and Jackson Magera breathe a little easier.
Zeal. Hunger. Character. Attitude. That’s what KCCA coach Brian Ssenyondo wanted to see after his team got handed their third loss in five games last week, a 3-1 defeat to NEC that stung. This time, he finally got it. KCCA showed all those qualities and pulled off a gritty 2-1 victory over Bul in the Uganda Premier League at Phillip Omondi Stadium on Wednesday night.
Ahimbisibwe and Achai scored for KCCA, with Sewagudde briefly levelling for Bul, and the result means Ssenyondo and Magera can at least feel the pressure lift for now.
But maybe more importantly, this win drags KCCA back into the title race. They’re now sitting on 33 points from 17 games, just five behind leaders Vipers.
The game started off tight, both sides feeling each other out, but Bul looked a little sharper early on. Even so, it was KCCA who broke the deadlock in the 31st minute with their first real chance. They overloaded the right, Saidi Mayanja whipped in a cross, and Ahimbisibwe, timing his run just right, dived in for a header. That’s his seventh goal of the season, and honestly, he’s been one of the few bright spots among the club’s new signings.
KCCA then had to dig in. Achai made a crucial block to deny Karim Ndugwa after a cross from Reagan Kalyowa. But just before halftime, the tricky Sewagudde bent in a free kick that completely wrong-footed KCCA keeper Mutwalibi Mugolofa, and Bul were level.
After the break, KCCA rediscovered their missing edge. Four minutes into the second half, left-back Achai stormed forward, played a quick one-two with Ashraf Mugume, then hammered the ball past Bul’s Ikara at the near post.
From there, KCCA held Bul at bay, sealing a rare home-and-away double over their Njeru-based rivals, who remain eighth on 20 points.
Earlier that day, Lugazi captain Richard Ayiko grabbed the winner as his side edged UPDF 1-0 in Najjembe, giving them a six-point cushion above the relegation zone. And at the bottom, Calvary finally picked up their fifth point of the season with a goalless draw against Express in Yumbe.
TITLE RACE HEAT: HOW VIPERS DROPPING HOME POINTS GIVES KITARA A CHANCE TO STRIKE
Vipers SC stay top of the UPL with 38 points! Discover how Warren Buule’s equaliser for NEC FC shook up the title race at Kitende.
NEC are stuck in seventh place with 24 points from 17 games. Vipers, even after dropping home points for just the second time this season, hang on to the top spot with 38.
Honestly, NEC have drawn more games than they'd like, nine out of 17. That’s a lot of stalemates in the Startimes Uganda Premier League. But this time, their 1-1 draw away to the reigning champs, Vipers, felt like more than just another point. It actually meant something, especially under the lights at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende on Tuesday evening.
Vipers came out flying. They grabbed the lead early and pretty much ran the first half. Six minutes in, Milton Karisa latched onto a slick through ball from Karim Watambala and curled a lovely left-footed shot past NEC keeper Hannington Ssebwalunyo. That was Karisa’s sixth goal of the season, and for a minute there, it looked like the Vipers were about to run riot, just like they did in their 4-0 demolition of Buhimba last time at home.
NEC looked shaky. Coach Badru Kaddu had seen enough and made two early changes, bringing on Shamir Kimwero and Joseph Dhata for Rashid Kawawa and Daniel Shabene inside 25 minutes. The switch helped steady things, but NEC didn’t really come to life until the second half.
Then, with 15 minutes left, substitute Emmanuel Kulanga swung in a cross, and Warren Buule was there at the far post to head in the equaliser. That goal was well earned; NEC were much better after the break. Richard Basangwa, playing up front, kept his old team busy and even got Bady Da Silva and Enoch Ssebagala booked. Ssebagala didn’t last much longer, getting subbed off after a rough tackle on his former side.
NEC has been busy in the mid-season transfer window. They’ve already added six new faces, and more are on the way. Sam Ssekamatte, who scored five goals for UPDF in the first round, watched from the stands with the rest of the unused squad.
So, NEC holds on to seventh, Vipers stay top, but Kitara could shake things up if they beat URA on Thursday. This title race isn’t done yet.
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