Line-ups, stats and preview at AFCON 2025

Tunisia v Uganda preview

Returning to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time since their run to the last 16 in 2019, Uganda are targeting an upset when the Cranes face 2004 champions Tunisia in their opening match in Rabat on Tuesday.

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

“Tunisia are highly organised, technical and tactically astute,” Put told CAF Online. “They are hard to break down, but we will see.

“Togetherness and discipline were among my top priorities from day one. For AFCON, I add a stronger will to win — that determination must outweigh the fear of losing.

“We want a team that holds its shape, fights in transitions and believes it can compete.”

Vibes in Rabat 👌#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #UgandaCranes pic.twitter.com/3WCwBH3HEo

— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) December 22, 2025

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

Former Eagles of Carthege international Sami Trabelsi was appointed in February, taking over a side who finished two points behind Comoros in qualifying.

“Uganda are a nation progressing steadily,” said Trabelsi, who helped Tunisia reach the 1998 final and played in the 1996 and 2000 editions as a centre-half.

“They had a solid qualifying campaign, even if their World Cup qualifiers were 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 v Uganda team news

Midfielder Ellyes Skhiri, of Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt, and counterpart Hannibal Mejbri, who plays for Premier League club Burnley, have returned to Tunisia’s squad, as have centre-backs Adem Arous, of Kasimpasa, and Nader Ghandri, of Akhmat Grozny.

Hacken winger Amor Layouni and 19-year-old Monaco midfielder Nacim Dendani are among the players not to have retained their places from the squad who took part in the Arab Cup in Qatar in December.

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

— FUFA (@OfficialFUFA) December 22, 2025

Goalkeeper Denis Onyango is back in Uganda’s 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 Rogers Mato, 22, scored twice in a win over Mozambique in September and has 15 goals in 17 matches for Macedonian team Vardar this season.

Tunisia v Uganda predicted line-ups

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 Magoola, Toby Sibbick, Jordan Obita, Elio Capradossi, Aziz Kayondo, Rogers Mato, Khalid Aucho, Allan Okello, Kenneth Semakula, Jude Ssemugabi, Steven Mukwala

How to watch Tunisia v Uganda: TV channel, live online 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 USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.

Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app. The game is also on Channel 4’s YouTube channel.

Tunisia v Uganda stats

• Tunisia are making their 22nd AFCON finals appearance and their 17th in a row
• No nation has made more consecutive AFCON appearances than Tunisia, who have been ever-present since 194
• Their failure to win any match in 2023 (D2 L1) was the first time since 2010 they failed to register a victory at the tournament
• A 1-0 win over Algeria in 2013 was their last opening-match win, having gone five without victory since (D2 L3)
• One of their last six AFCON matches has been victorious (D2 L3), beating Nigeria in 2021 round of 16
• Uganda are making their eighth AFCON finals appearance, having returned in 2017 after a 39-year absence
• Their best finish was in 1978, losing the final 2–0 to Ghana
• Five of Uganda’s last seven opening AFCON matches have ended in defeat, the exceptions being a 3-0 win vs Congo in 1978 and a 2-0 victory over DR Congo in 2019
• None of Uganda’s 23 AFCON matches have ended goalless
• Onyango featured at the 2017 and 2019 AFCON tournaments, playing in all six matches across those editions