Late drama as Uganda and Tanzania settle for draw
Uche Ikpeazu scored a late equaliser before team-mate Allan Okello missed a penalty as Uganda had to settle for a 1-1 draw with East African rival Tanzania in their Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash in Rabat.
It is a first point for both sides in their pool after they opened their 2025 campaign with defeats by Tunisia and Nigeria respectively.
Tanzania took the lead in the 59th minute when Simon Msuva converted a penalty, awarded after a handball in the box, but it was to be denied a first win at the continental finals at the 11th attempt.
Ikpeazu's diving header drew Uganda level, before it was awarded a penalty and the chance to win it late on, only for talisman Okello to put his spot-kick over the crossbar.
There was a familiar feel to the contest between two long-standing regional rivals, but this was their first meeting at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Uganda came close to the opener when Rogers Mato's header came back off the crossbar inside 15 minutes, but the game really came to life in the second half.
Tanzania was awarded a penalty when Alphonce Msanga's shot from outside the box struck the arm of Uganda midfielder Baba Alhassan, which was deemed to be in an unnatural position.
Msuva stepped up to take the spot-kick and fired it into the roof of the net.
But Tanzania could not see the game out and was denied a maiden Africa Cup of Nations finals win when powerful forward Ikpeazu stooped to head in Denis Omedi's cross from the right.
Moroccan referee Jalal Jayed awarded Uganda a penalty after a tug on the shirt of James Bogere by Haji Mnoga.
Okello is known as "Star Boy" in his homeland, such is his talent, but he fluffed his lines on this occasion as he sent his spot-kick over the crossbar.
