By Kunle Solaja.
Head-to-Head
| Teams | P | W | D | L | F | A |
| Tunisia | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 |
| Uganda | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 16 |
| Date | Contest/Venue | Score line |
| 20 January 1962 | AFCON, Addis Ababa | Tunisia 3-0 Uganda |
| 9 March 1976 | AFCON, Kumasi | Uganda 1-3 Tunisia |
| 27 February 1999 | AFCON q Tunis | Tunisia 6-0 Uganda |
| 10 April 1999 | AFCON q Kampala | Uganda 0-2 Tunisia |
| 4 January 2017 | Friendly, Tunis | Tunisia 2-0 Uganda |
Under the Rabat night sky, where expectation often weighs heavier than history, Tunisia and Uganda will step onto the pitch at the Stade Annexe Olympique, Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah on Tuesday, each carrying a different story but sharing the same ambition — to matter in Group C of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Numbers, History and Pride are key elements as both strive to take vital points in the duel scheduled to begin at 9 pm local time and also by Nigerian time.
The numbers underline the scale of the task facing Uganda. In five previous meetings spanning 63 years, Tunisia have won all five, scoring 16 goals and conceding just once. Uganda’s lone goal against the North Africans came as far back as 1976, a statistic that sets the backdrop for tonight’s contest.
This will be the third time the sides meet at the Africa Cup of Nations. Their first encounter came in 1962 in Addis Ababa, when Tunisia went on to claim bronze after a 3–0 victory.
They crossed paths again in the 1978 group stage in Kumasi, with Tunisia prevailing 3–1. The most emphatic result overall arrived in 1999, when Tunisia recorded a commanding 6–0 win in Tunis during the qualifiers.
More than two decades later, Tunisia returned to the continental stage under head coach Samy Trabelsi, carrying both expectation and responsibility. The Carthage Eagles are making their 22nd AFCON appearance and their 17th in succession, a record that reflects consistency at the highest level of African football.
Speaking ahead of the match, Trabelsi praised the organisation and facilities in Morocco, noting similarities in weather and conditions to Tunisia. He also warned against complacency. “African football has evolved. Every team is competitive and can make things difficult,” he said.
On the pitch, Tunisia will look to experienced figures such as midfielder Elyes Skhiri to dictate the tempo. Skhiri stressed the importance of starting strongly after disappointments in recent editions. “We must compete to win and not take any team for granted,” he said. “Uganda are no pushovers.”
Uganda, meanwhile, arrive in Rabat determined to challenge the narrative. The Cranes are making their eighth AFCON appearance and their first since 2019, and head coach Paul Put believes his side is ready to compete on the big stage. “We are proud to be here and focused on the game,” Put said. “The team is gradually gelling into a strong side.”
Midfielder Khalid Aucho echoed that confidence, insisting Uganda are motivated by outside doubts. “Many people have not given us a chance, but we are focused on making our nation proud,” he said.
As Group C takes shape, Tunisia’s flawless head-to-head record contrasts sharply with Uganda’s ambition to rewrite history. Under the Rabat lights, past statistics will count for little once the whistle blows, as both sides chase a strong start to their AFCON campaign.
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