Uganda and Tanzania, set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya, are being confronted with the scale of the task ahead as they face likely early exits at the ongoing tournament in Morocco.
Both nations enter decisive Group games on Tuesday needing wins to keep faint hopes of reaching the last 16. Uganda face Nigeria, while Tanzania take on Tunisia, with defeat expected to end their campaigns.
Historically, East African sides have struggled to compete with the continent’s elite. Uganda have managed just one win in nine AFCON matches across three tournaments since reaching the final in 1978. Tanzania, making only their fourth appearance at the competition, are yet to record a victory.
The two sides drew 1-1 in Rabat on Saturday, a match in which Uganda equalised before missing a late penalty that could have secured a rare win.
Tanzania coach Miguel Angel Gamondi was candid in his assessment after the match. “I told the players we are the fourth-weakest team in the Africa Cup of Nations, but we have played two games on another level,” he told AFP.
The Argentinian, appointed on the eve of the tournament after leaving Singida Black Stars, is overseeing a side ranked 112th in the world and 27th in Africa, despite Tanzania being the continent’s fourth-most populous nation with over 70 million people. They opened their campaign with a narrow defeat to Nigeria.
Gamondi said his immediate focus is on mentality. “My goal is to change the mindset, to show we can compete. If we are 112th now, I hope soon we can be inside the top 100.”
While Tanzania showed signs of progress by finishing third in their World Cup qualifying group, Gamondi pointed to structural issues holding the country back, including the heavy reliance on foreign players in the domestic league.
“One problem is that clubs can field up to 12 foreign players,” he said, adding that this has helped giants Young Africans and Simba succeed continentally, but at the expense of local player development.
Infrastructure and youth systems remain key concerns. “There are no good-quality pitches. But the biggest problem is the lack of youth development,” Gamondi said. “Players need to go to Europe, compete and develop. In the local league, there’s little competition, so growth is limited.”
Tanzania’s standout name is France-based former Aston Villa striker Ally Samatta, though the bulk of the squad plays domestically, supplemented by players from England’s lower divisions.
Uganda, ranked 85th globally and 17th in Africa, are comparatively stronger but face similar limitations. Belgian coach Paul Put said his focus is firmly on long-term development.
“We have a very young team, and my responsibility is to build for 2027,” he said. “This tournament is about experience. By 2027, we must be ready.”
That opportunity will not be shared by Kenya, the third co-host, who are ranked 113th and have failed to qualify for the last three AFCON tournaments—underscoring the scale of the challenge East Africa faces ahead of hosting the continent’s flagship football event.
