Uganda will face a challenging path in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 after being drawn in Group C alongside football powerhouses in Nigeria and Tunisia, as well as regional rivals Tanzania.
The draw was held at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco, setting the stage for the continent’s biggest football tournament, scheduled to begin later this year.
Uganda will need to be at its best as it takes on Nigeria, a team aiming to reclaim continental glory, and Tunisia, who boast years of AFCON experience.
The regional derby against Tanzania is also set to be a fiery encounter, given the history and rivalry between the two nations.
The final draw revealed intriguing groupings across the board:
Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
Group E: Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F: Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique, Côte d’Ivoire
The opening match will see hosts Morocco take on Comoros in Group A.
Morocco, fresh from their historic semifinal run at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, are determined to shine on home soil and break their 50-year AFCON title drought.
The draw ceremony itself was a grand spectacle, blending culture and football. Legendary Moroccan player Ahmed ‘Baba’ Makrouh, who scored the winner in Morocco’s 1976 AFCON triumph, brought the trophy to the stage, expressing his hope that it would remain in the host nation.
Musical performances by Moroccan artists Hatim Ammor, Nouamane Lahlou, and global stars like RedOne and Gims captivated the audience.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe praised Morocco’s preparations, calling the tournament “the most entertaining and exciting AFCON yet.”
With state-of-the-art stadiums in Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, Agadir, and Fez, Morocco is set to offer an unforgettable experience for fans and teams alike.
The tournament format will see 24 teams divided into six groups of four, with the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage.
Uganda, in particular, will look to make a strong statement as it faces some of the continent’s best teams.
