Uganda Cranes’s road to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 will be no easy feat, as they’ve been drawn into Group C alongside football giants Nigeria and Tunisia, as well as regional rivals Tanzania.
The draw, held at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco, set the stage for Africa’s premier football tournament, which is set to begin later this year.
For Uganda Cranes, the competition will require peak performance. They’ll go up against Nigeria, a side eager to reclaim continental supremacy, and Tunisia, a team rich in AFCON experience.
The regional clash with Tanzania will add extra spice to the group, given the longstanding rivalry between the two nations.
The full groupings from the draw are as follows:
Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
Group E: Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F: Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique, Côte d’Ivoire
The tournament will kick off with hosts Morocco taking on Comoros in Group A. With Morocco coming off a historic World Cup semifinal appearance, the team is determined to make an impact on home soil and end their 50-year AFCON title drought.
The draw ceremony itself was a vibrant celebration of culture and football. Moroccan football legend Ahmed ‘Baba’ Makrouh, who scored the decisive goal in Morocco’s 1976 AFCON victory, brought the iconic trophy to the stage and expressed his hope it would stay in Morocco.
The event was also marked by musical performances from Moroccan artists Hatim Ammor, Nouamane Lahlou, and international stars like RedOne and Gims, adding to the excitement of the occasion.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe commended Morocco’s preparations, promising that this would be “the most entertaining and exciting AFCON yet.”
With world-class stadiums in cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, Agadir, and Fez, Morocco is poised to provide an unforgettable experience for both fans and players alike.
The tournament format will see 24 teams split into six groups of four, with the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stages.
Uganda Cranes will be aiming to make a strong impact as they face some of the continent’s toughest teams.

Uganda Cranes is returning to the biannual tournament after two showings in 2017 and 2019 was interrupted by a dip, were in their best form in the qualifiers under Belgian tactician Paul Put.
‘It’s a tough group, but if we apply the dedication and hard work we showed during the qualifiers, we are ready to face anyone.’ Custodian @watengaisima #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/As1NgfxsiK
— Uganda Cranes (@UgandaCranes) January 28, 2025