By BBC
East African rivals Tanzania and Uganda played out a frenetic 1-1 draw at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), with Uganda missing a late penalty in torrential rain in Rabat.
While the first half contained a lot of endeavour but little quality, the second burst into life just before the hour mark when the Taifa Stars were awarded a spot kick of their own for handball and Simon Msuva sent an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net.
Tanzania, who have now failed to win any of their 11 matches at Afcon final tournaments, held on to their lead until the 80th minute, when substitute striker Uche Ikpeazu, who was born in London and plays in Scotland’s second tier for St Johnstone, executed a classic diving header to level proceedings.
The heavens opened as both sides went in search of a winner, creating some comical moments as players struggled in the chaotic conditions.
Allan Okello was the man presented with a golden opportunity to claim all three points for the Cranes when full-back Haji Mnoga was adjudged to have tugged his opponent’s shirt in the box, but the wideman sent his penalty high over the bar after a stuttering run up in the final minute of regular time.
The result leaves the sides with one point each from their opening two games – and both now face a difficult task to make it to the second round.
Tanzania finish Group C by taking on Tunisia in Rabat on Tuesday, with Uganda travelling to Fes to face Nigeria at the same time (16:00 GMT).
In the later game on Saturday, Nigeria and Tunisia’s encounter kicked off at 20:00 in Fes.
A tale of two penalties
The teams came into the game knowing victory was needed to ensure a decent shot of reaching the last 16.
While Tanzania competed well in their 2-1 defeat to Nigeria, Uganda had disappointed in their 3-0 loss against Tunisia.
Both sides made high-profile changes to their line-ups at different ends of the pitch, with Kelvin John starting up front in place of Mbwana Samatta for Tanzania and 40-year-old Denis Onyango preferred to Salim Magoola in goal for Uganda.
But it was Tanzania keeper Zuberi Foba who was involved in the opening half’s key passage.
Having been unable to stop a powerful header from Rogers Mato smashing off the bar and collided with a post in the process, the man who made his Afcon debut in the opener against the Super Eagles got up quickly enough to stop Msuva’s left-foot drive from the next phase of play.
Five minutes after the break, Msuva saw a goal-bound effort blocked for a corner by two desperate sliding defenders.
But the 32-year-old, who is playing at his third Afcon, made no mistake with his penalty, awarded after Baba Alhassan turned away from Alphonce Mabula’s shot but left both arms hanging out by his side.
Referee Jalal Jayed deemed them to be in an unnatural position and immediately pointed to the spot.
Cranes striker Jude Ssemugabi passed up a decent headed opportunity to equalise before he was replaced by Ikpeazu, a change which quickly paid dividends for boss Paul Put.
The imposing 30-year-old, who has also played for Middlesbrough, Cardiff City, Wycombe Wanderers and Hearts, flung himself full-length at Okello’s cross from the right to power home.
But having played the role of provider, Okello could not keep his penalty down to improve Uganda’s miserable Afcon run which has seen the 1978 runners-up win just one of their last 10 matches at the finals.
There was still time for more drama as Onyango came off his line and spilled the ball to risk presenting Msuva with a tap-in, only to see the forward unable to slow his momentum on the slick surface, allowing the defender to clear off the goal line.
And while the fans will have been entertained by this clash between two old rivals, both sides will be left ruing a missed opportunity.
