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CAN EAST AFRICA SURVIVE? THE SECRET 2027 PLAN BEHIND UGANDA CRANES' YOUNG AFCON SQUAD
Uganda face Nigeria, and Tanzania meet Tunisia in a decisive AFCON 2025 Tuesday. See the progress made toward the 2027 hosting.
Uganda and Tanzania are teaming up with Kenya to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. Right now, they're watching the current tournament in Morocco to see how much they still need to improve.
These East African teams haven't been top contenders, and both might get knocked out early in Tuesday's group matches.
Uganda will play Nigeria, and Tanzania will go up against Tunisia. Both teams likely need to win to get into the last 16.
Since their final appearance in 1978, Uganda has won only one out of nine games across three AFCON tournaments. Tanzania is playing in only their fourth Cup of Nations and hasn't ever won.
The teams tied 1-1 in Rabat on Saturday. Uganda scored to tie and then missed a late penalty.
Tanzania's coach, Miguel Angel Gamondi, told AFP, I told the players we're the fourth-weakest team in the Africa Cup of Nations, but we've played two games really well.
Gamondi, who is from Argentina, just took the job right before the tournament, coming from the Tanzanian club Singida Black Stars.
Tanzania is ranked 112th by FIFA and 27th in Africa, despite having a population of over 70 million, which is the fourth-largest in Africa. They started their AFCON run with a close loss to Nigeria.
- ‘Change the mentality’ -
Gamondi said, My goal is to change how they think, show them they can compete, and instil a winning attitude. If we're at 112 now, I hope we'll be under 100 soon.”
There were encouraging signs in World Cup qualifying, with Tanzania finishing third in their group, but Gamondi knows they need to get better.
Gamondi added, One of the problems in Tanzania is that clubs can have 12 foreign players. He said that's why Young Africans and Simba, both big teams from Dar es Salaam, are among the best on the continent.
The fields aren't in great shape either. But for me, the biggest issue is that we're not developing young players.
“Tanzania needs to produce good players who can go to Europe, play, and get better. In our local league, they don't get enough competition, so players can't grow.”
Tanzania's star player is Ally Samatta, a striker who used to play for Aston Villa and is now in France. Most of their AFCON team plays in their home country, and some play in the fourth and fifth tiers of English football.
Uganda is ranked higher, at 17th in Africa and 85th in the world, but its team also lacks experience at the top level.
Uganda’s coach, Paul Put from Belgium, said, We have a very young team, and I need to build a team for 2027, so I’m letting them get more experience.
“We need to be ready with good players for 2027.”
At least they're getting experience. Kenya, ranked 113th, hasn't made it to the last three AFCON tournaments.
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.
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