WHAT HAPPENED? THE REAL REASON ALLAN OKELLO MISSED THE GAME-WINNING PENALTY
Uganda Cranes draw 1-1 with Tanzania in AFCON 2025. Ikpeazu scores, but Okello misses a late penalty. Nigeria clash looms next.
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.
HISTORY MADE: WHY UGANDA CRANES USED THREE GOALKEEPERS IN A SINGLE AFCON NIGHTMARE
Uganda’s AFCON run ends in a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria. The Cranes used three goalkeepers in a match that saw Salim Magoola sent off.
Uganda's run at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is over after a tough 3-1 loss to Nigeria. They didn't win a single game and are out after the group stage. Nigeria finished top of Group C with 9 points, while Uganda ended up last with only 1 point. Uganda had trouble scoring and let in the most goals, showing they still have a ways to go.
Nigeria came out strong, keeping Uganda pinned back. Their pressure paid off when Paul Onuachu scored in the 28th minute after a great pass from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, putting Nigeria ahead.
Uganda couldn't get into the game and barely created any chances. Karl Uche Ikpeazu was isolated up front. They wasted several set-piece opportunities, and captain Denis Onyango had to make a bunch of saves. He even needed treatment a few times before being subbed out at halftime.
Things got worse in the 57th minute when Onyango's replacement, Salim Jamal Magoola, got a red card for handling the ball outside the box while trying to stop Victor Osimhen. Uganda was down to ten men.
Nafian Alionzi came in, making Uganda the first team in the tournament to use three goalkeepers in one game.
Nigeria took advantage of the situation, and Raphael Onyedika scored twice in the 62nd and 66th minutes, making it 3-0. Game over for Uganda.
Uganda managed to pull one back in the 75th minute when Rogers Kassim Mato scored after a nice play with Allan Okello. It got the 11,545 fans excited, but Nigeria just slowed the game down and won easily.
With this win, Nigeria finished Group C undefeated. Uganda finished last, having let in the most goals in the group.
In the other game, Tanzania drew 1-1 with Tunisia. This meant that both teams, along with Nigeria, moved on. Tanzania made it to the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.
Uganda lost 3-1 to Tunisia, drew 1-1 with Tanzania, and lost 3-1 to Nigeria. They're still waiting for their first-ever win in the AFCON finals.
For head coach Joseph Paul Put, the tournament had some good moments, but it also showed that Uganda needs to be more consistent, disciplined, and clinical to compete at the highest level.
TUESDAY PREVIEW: PAUL PUT PREPARES UGANDA FOR DECISIVE FINAL AFCON GROUP CLASH
Uganda must beat Nigeria to reach the AFCON 2025 knockouts. Discover Paul Put’s strategy and Jordan Obita’s call for belief in Fes.
Paul Put's team is heading to Stade de Fes, aiming for a win. This victory could get them into the round of 16 either as Group C's second-place team or as one of the top four third-place teams in the 24-team contest.
"We're up against a really good team," Put said. They were in the final at the last Cup of Nations, and they've won both matches here in Morocco.
We know how good the Nigerian players are. A lot of them play in big leagues in Europe, so we need to be super focused.
But we know what's at stake. It won't be easy; it will be tough. But if we put in the effort, anything's possible.
Tunisia is playing Tanzania in Rabat on Tuesday night. They beat Uganda 3-1 in their first game on December 23.
In their second game, Uganda drew 1-1 with Tanzania after Allan Okello missed a late penalty.
"We had a great chance to win," said Uganda defender Jordan Obita. But it didn't happen.
We can't be scared of going into the Nigeria game. We have to believe we can do something, and that's what we're going to do.
Uganda reached the last 16 in 2019 in Egypt—the first time the Africa Cup of Nations had 24 teams.
But the country's teams didn't make it into the competitions in Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire after that.
In 2027, Uganda will host the event with Kenya and Uganda. Obita mentioned that the players in the Uganda team want to show what they're made of at the 2025 contest.
"Everyone back home in Uganda needs to see that we can compete with the best countries in the world," said the 32-year-old, who plays for Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership.
When we played Algeria in the World Cup qualifiers, it showed we can go head-to-head with top-tier countries and players.
Nigeria's coach, Eric Chelle, was secretive on Monday about who would be on his team Tuesday night.
"I'm keeping my plans to myself," said the 48-year-old former Mali player. A lot of players deserve a chance on this team.
I make hard choices for every match. I've got two or three teams in mind.