East Africa Prepares for a Historic Challenge at AFCON Morocco 2025
As the excitement builds for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, all eyes are on East Africa, where the region’s footballing prowess is set to be tested. The Ugandan Cranes and the Taifa Stars of Tanzania will represent East Africa in a highly competitive Group C, facing formidable foes in Nigeria and Tunisia.
This year’s AFCON comes on the heels of East Africa’s co-hosting of two major CAF tournaments, including the African Nations Championship and the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2027. The spotlight will be particularly intense on Uganda and Tanzania as they strive to showcase their talent on the continental stage.
The Cranes, making their eighth appearance in the tournament, have a rich history to uphold. They came agonizingly close to glory in 1978, reaching the finals but falling to Ghana. After a long wait, Uganda returned to the AFCON stage in 2017 but struggled to make a significant impact. Coach Paul Put is rallying his squad to seize this opportunity, emphasizing self-belief and determination as they prepare to face their tough group rivals.
On the other hand, the Taifa Stars are seeking to claim their first AFCON title and improve upon their previous performances, which have all concluded in the group stages. With a solid foundation laid by their successful clubs, Simba SC and Young Africans SC, who have shone in CAF inter-club competitions, Tanzania aims to make a statement in Morocco. Coach Hemed Suleiman Ali has acknowledged the challenges ahead but is determined to inspire his players to rise to the occasion.
The expectation is high for both teams to not only compete fiercely but also to unite East African fans in a collective hope of bringing home the coveted AFCON trophy for the first time since Ethiopia’s 1962 triumph. With Nigeria and Tunisia as worthy contenders, the road ahead will be tough, but the potential for East African football to shine brightly on the continental stage is within reach.
