Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put is backing Allan Okello after his penalty miss against Tanzania in the AFCON 2025 qualifier. The game could have been a win.

After the tough 1-1 draw against Tanzania on Saturday, Uganda Cranes coach Paul Put is standing by Allan Okello, who missed a late penalty.

Despite the disappointing end to the rain-soaked match at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat, the coach said the team is making progress and staying positive. They were denied a win, which was tough.

We made chances, played well, and were in control, Put said. Things didn't go well; that’s how it is. We could have won. It’s hard, but I've told the guys not to get down on themselves.

Put made five changes after the loss to Tunisia, and it seemed to help. Bobosi Byaruhanga and Baba Alhassan made the midfield stronger, while Travis Mutyaba, Rogers Kassim Mato, and Allan Okello gave striker Jude Ssemugabi some backup up front.

It was an exciting East African match.

Denis Onyango, the goalie, was back as captain for the first time in six years, which seemed to help calm things down. Uganda was in charge for most of the game and had some solid chances.

But Tanzania scored first when Baba Alhassan was called for a handball in the box in the 57th minute. Saimon Msuva nailed the penalty, putting Tanzania ahead.

Uganda kept pushing for a goal as the rain picked up. They finally got it in the 81st minute when Denis Omedi crossed the ball to Karl Uche Ikpeazu, who headed it in to even the score.

Then, late in the game, Uganda got a penalty when James Bogere was fouled. Allan Okello took the shot but missed, and Tanzania got away with a draw.

After the match, Put defended Okello, even comparing him to a legend.

Even Messi misses penalties. He’s human, the coach said. He stepped up. He missed; it happens. Maybe he'll score next game, and we'll all be happy. That’s how it goes.

Put said the team will look at the game and try to improve their scoring before their last important match.

In the other Group C game, Nigeria beat Tunisia 3-2. This means the fight for the second spot will be close.

Uganda will play Nigeria in their last game, while Tunisia will play Tanzania. Both games are on Wednesday, December 31, at 7:00 PM EAT.

Uganda's Cranes had their hearts broken when Allan Okello, aka Starboy, missed a penalty late in the game. The match ended in a 1-1 draw against Tanzania's Taifa Stars in a tough Group C game for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Because of this, Uganda didn't get their first-ever AFCON win this year, and they're now stuck with just one point from two games before heading into the final group match, which will decide everything.

Uganda's coach, Paul Put, switched things up. He made five changes from the team that lost 3-1 to Tunisia. He brought back veteran goalie Denis Onyango to lead the team. Travis Mutyaba, Baba Alhassan, Allan Okello, and Bobosi Byaruhanga also got a spot in the starting lineup, while Kenneth Ssemakula, Toby Sibbick, Jordan Obita, Jude Ssemugabi, and Rogers Kassim Mato stayed where they were.

Uganda was all over the first half, creating some very good chances but not scoring. The closest they got was when Alhassan Baba knocked a header off the crossbar after a great pass from Abdu-Aziz Kayondo, who looked good and worked well with Mutyaba on the left.

Tanzania didn't threaten much. Onyango didn't have much to do since John Kalvin, Novatus Miroshi, and Simon Msuva all missed their shots.

But things changed soon after the game started back up. Around the 57th minute, Tanzania got a penalty when Baba Alhassan supposedly touched the ball with his hand in the box. A minute later, Simon Msuva, who plays for Al-Talaba SC in Iraq, coolly scored from the penalty spot, putting Tanzania up 1-0.

Uganda responded quickly, and Put's substitutions paid off. In the 81st minute, Karl Uchechukwu Ikpeazu, who had just come into the game, jumped high to head in a cross from Denis Omedi. It was two substitutes that tied the game!

Then, late in the game, James Bogere was taken down in the box, and Uganda got a penalty. With just minutes left, Allan Okello from Vipers SC shot the ball over the crossbar, shocking everyone on the Ugandan bench.

Tanzania almost won the game in extra time when Msuva got to a loose ball, but Onyango made a wonderful save to keep the score tied.

Because of the draw, Uganda is still looking for their first win at AFCON 2025 and is at the bottom of the group with one point before its last Group C game against Nigeria, one of Africa's best teams.