Tunisia vs Uganda

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) continues its opening week in Morocco as the "Carthage Eagles" of Tunisia begin their campaign against the "Cranes" of Uganda.¹ This Group C encounter, scheduled for Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah Annex in Rabat, is a critical fixture for a Tunisian side looking to banish the ghosts of a disastrous 2023 campaign.²

While Tunisia enters as the tactical and historical favorite, Uganda returns to the continental stage for the first time since 2019, carrying the hopes of a nation eager to prove that East African football is on the rise.³

Current Form: Defensive Perfection vs. Pragmatic Progress

Tunisia: The North African Wall

Under the guidance of Sami Trabelsi, Tunisia arrives in Morocco with one of the most statistically impressive defensive records in international football. They completed their recent World Cup qualifying campaign without conceding a single goal across ten matches (W9, D1).⁴ However, the Carthage Eagles are under immense pressure to perform following their group-stage exit in the 2023 edition, where they failed to win a single match.⁵

The Tunisian philosophy centers on control.⁶ They prefer to dominate the middle of the park and wear opponents down through superior technical rotation. For Trabelsi, this opening match is about more than just points; it’s about restoring the "fear factor" that Tunisia once commanded in African football.

Uganda: The Resilience of the Cranes

Uganda, led by veteran Belgian coach Paul Put, secured their place in Morocco by finishing second in a difficult qualifying group.⁷ Despite a preparation period marred by administrative and financial disputes within the federation, the "Cranes" have shown remarkable on-pitch focus.

Uganda’s style is built on energy and rapid transitions.⁸ While they lack the high-profile European stars of their Group C rivals (Nigeria and Tunisia), they possess a cohesive unit of players who have spent significant time together in regional competitions. For Uganda, a draw in Rabat would be viewed as a historic victory.

Tactical Breakdown: Creative Load vs. Compact Lines

Tunisia’s Midfield Engine Room

Tunisia is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation that leans heavily on the creative capabilities of their European-based stars.⁹

• The Creative Load: With Naïm Sliti doubtful due to injury, the burden of breaking down Uganda’s low block falls on Hannibal Mejbri and Ellyes Skhiri.¹⁰ Their ability to find "killer passes" between the lines will be the game's defining factor.

   

   

• Wide Threat: Elias Achouri (FC Copenhagen) and Elias Saad (St. Pauli) provide the necessary width to stretch a compact Ugandan defense.¹¹

   

   

Uganda’s Transitional Threat

Coach Paul Put will likely utilize a 4-1-4-1 or 4-5-1 system designed to frustrate Tunisia and exploit any lapses in their concentration.

• The Low Block: Uganda will look to sit deep, with Khalid Aucho and Kenneth Ssemakula tasked with "erasing" Tunisia’s creative midfielders.¹²

   

   

• The Counter-Punch: Rogers Mato, who has been in clinical form in European club football this season, will be the primary outlet.¹³ His pace on the wings is designed to punish Tunisia’s attacking full-backs if they overextend.

   

   

Team News and Predicted Lineups

Tunisia Team News

Tunisia is sweating on the fitness of Naïm Sliti, who remains a significant doubt.¹⁴ However, the return of Hannibal Mejbri to full fitness provides a major boost. Bechir Ben Saïd is expected to start in goal behind a highly experienced backline.¹⁵

• Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Dahmen; Valery, Bronn, Talbi, Abdi; Sassi, Skhiri; Tounekti, Mejbri, Saad; Mastouri.¹⁶

   

   

Uganda Team News

Uganda will look to Allan Okello, their most creative domestic-based player, to provide the spark in transition.¹⁷ The experienced Denis Onyango (if selected over Jamal Salim) provides much-needed leadership in the dressing room.

• Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Onyango; Sibbick, Capradossi, Obita, Kayondo; Aucho; Mato, Okello, Ssemugabi, Mutyaba; Mukwala.

Head-to-Head: A Perfect Record

Tunisia holds a "perfect" historical record against Uganda, a statistic that provides a psychological edge heading into the Rabat opener.¹⁸

Stat Highlight: Tunisia has won all five previous meetings against Uganda, outscoring the Cranes 16–1 in the process.¹⁹ Uganda’s only goal against Tunisia came 47 years ago in 1978.

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Hannibal Mejbri vs. Khalid Aucho: This is the game's tactical ground zero. Mejbri’s flair and vision vs. Aucho’s physical, disruptive presence. If Aucho can silence Mejbri, Tunisia’s attack could become stagnant.

2. Montassar Talbi vs. Steven Mukwala: Talbi has been the rock of the Tunisian defense. Mukwala’s mobility and habit of drifting into wide areas will test Talbi’s positional discipline and recovery speed.

3. Elias Saad vs. Toby Sibbick: Saad enters the tournament in excellent international form.²⁰ Sibbick, who has been composed in his recent caps, must ensure he isn't isolated one-on-one against Saad’s dribbling ability.

Final Match Prediction: Patience vs. Perseverance

Tunisia’s technical depth and their remarkable defensive record in qualifying suggest they will control the majority of this match. While Uganda’s defensive organization under Paul Put has improved, they may struggle to handle the sustained pressure from Tunisia’s multi-pronged attack. Expect a game where Tunisia dominates possession and eventually finds the breakthrough in the second half.

Final Score Prediction: Tunisia 2-1 Uganda