AFCON 2025 squads, stats and preview

Tunisia vs Uganda preview

Returning to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time since their 2019 Round of 16 appearance, Uganda aim to cause an upset when the Cranes take on 2004 champions Tunisia in their first leg in Rabat on Tuesday.

Belgium manager Paul Puth’s side finished a point behind South Africa at the top of their qualifying group and are preparing to host the tournament in 2027.

« Tunisia is highly organised, technically and tactically astute, » Put said CAF online. “They’re tough to break, but we’ll see.

« Togetherness and discipline have been among my top priorities since day one. For the AFCON, I add a stronger will to win – that determination must outweigh the fear of losing.

« We want a team that keeps their form, fights in transition and believes they can compete. »

Moods in Rabat 👌#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #UgandaFaucet pic.twitter.com/3WCwBH3HEo

— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) December 22, 2025

Ranked 41st in the FIFA rankings, AFCON perennials Tunisia are 44 places above Uganda and are trying to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since 2021, when they reached the quarter-finals.

Former Eagles of Carthege international Sammy Trabelsi was appointed in February, taking over a side that finished two points behind Comoros in the qualifiers.

« Uganda is a nation that is progressing steadily, » said Trabelsi, who helped Tunisia reach the 1998 final and played in the 1996 and 2000 editions as a central midfielder.

“They had a solid qualifying campaign, although their qualification for the World Cup was not exceptional.

« But everyone comes to the AFCON with the goal of going as far as possible, and unexpected teams often beat stronger sides. »

Tunisia vs Uganda team news

Midfielder Elis Schieri of Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt and his team-mate Hannibal Maybry, who plays for Premier League club Burnley are back in the Tunisian squad, as are centre-backs Adem Arous from Kasimpasa and Nader Ghandry from Akhmat Grozny.

Hacken winger Amor Layouni and 19-year-old Monaco midfielder Nazim Dendani are among the players who have not kept their places from the squad that takes part in the Arab Cup in Qatar in December.

James Boger takes on Travis Mutyaba ⚽️🤗#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | ##UgandaFaucet pic.twitter.com/uru52Gd4fd

— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) December 22, 2025

Goalkeeper Dennis Onyango has returned to the Ugandan squad at the age of 40, contrasting in experience with 17-year-old forward James Bogere, who impressed at the Under-17 World Cup.

Winger Rodgers Mato, 22, scored twice in the win over Mozambique in September and has 15 goals in 17 games for Macedonian side Vardar this season.

Tunisia vs Uganda predicted lineups

Tunisia starting XI: Aymen Dahmen, Yan Valery, Dylan Bronn, Montassar Talbi, Ali Abdi, Sebastian Tounekti, Ellyes Skhiri, Hannibal Mejbri, Ferjani Sassi, Elias Saad, Hazem Mastouri

Uganda starting XI: Salim Magula, Toby Sibi, Jordan Obita, Elio Capradosi, Aziz Kayondo, Rogers Mato, Khalid Aucho, Alan Okello, Kenneth Semakula, Jude Semugabi, Stephen Mukwala

How to Watch Tunisia vs Uganda: TV Channel, Online Live Stream

Kick-off on Tuesday is at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). In the UK, live AFCON 2025 coverage is on Channel 4. In the US beIN Sports is the broadcaster of the tournament.

Live streaming is available on a wide range of devices via the Channel 4 website and app and the beIN Sports app. The game is also on Channel 4’s YouTube channel.

Tunisia vs Uganda Stats

• Tunisia are appearing for their 22nd AFCON final and 17th in a row
• No nation has made more consecutive AFCON appearances than Tunisia, who have been a consistent presence since 194.
• Their failure to win a single match in 2023 (D2 L1) was the first time since 2010 that they failed to register a win at the tournament
• A 1-0 win over Algeria in 2013 was their last win in the opening game, having gone five without a win since then (D2 L3)
• One of their last six AFCON matches was won (D2 L3), defeating Nigeria in the 2021 Round of 16.
• Uganda is making its eighth appearance at the AFCON finals after returning in 2017 after a 39-year absence
• Their best result was in 1978 when they lost the final 2-0 to Ghana
• Five of Uganda’s last seven AFCON openers have ended in defeat, the exceptions being a 3-0 win against Congo in 1978 and a 2-0 win over DR Congo in 2019.
• None of Uganda’s 23 AFCON matches have finished without a goal
• Onyango featured in the 2017 and 2019 AFCON tournaments, featuring in all six matches in those editions