Ugandan striker, Mubiru Ikpeazu called his first Africa Cup of Nations goal a moment beyond words as the Cranes drew 1-1 with Tanzania in a tense East African derby in Group C.
Uganda, currently sitting at the bottom of Group C, lost its opening game 3-1 against North African giants Tunisia, but for Ikpeazu, the dream is not all lost.
The forward, who grew up watching AFCON stars like Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré, scored Uganda’s equalizer to cancel out Tanzania’s opener, marking a personal milestone on a night filled with belief, resilience, and unfinished business.
“I grew up watching this tournament, my idols like Drogba and Yaya Toure, so playing in this competition is a privilege,” Ikpeazu said.
“Scoring is beyond words, but the most important thing is that we move on to the next game and try to qualify.”
Uganda had a golden chance to claim all three points late in the game, but a missed penalty prevented the Cranes from winning. Still, Ikpeazu insisted that the team quickly shifted their focus from disappointment to the overall goal.
“It’s football. Everyone misses penalties sometimes. Even the best players miss,” he said. “The fact that he stepped up shows his mentality, maturity, and intelligence. We need to support him and move forward.”
The draw left Uganda needing to work harder in Group C, but the performance encouraged both players and the coaching staff. Head coach Paul Put praised his team’s approach and creativity, saying the Cranes played with purpose.
“We created chances and played well. We were pleasing to watch,” Put said. “Unfortunately, we had a clear chance to win and didn’t take it. But that’s football. We need to stay positive and prepare for the next game.”
Put also dismissed any blame directed at the missed penalty, emphasizing responsibility and belief within the squad.
“He took responsibility. He missed; that can happen,” the Belgian coach said. “Maybe in the next game, he will score for us, and then we will all be happy.”
On defense, captain and goalkeeper Denis Onyango showed composure, making key saves to keep Uganda competitive. The veteran shot-stopper said unity and positivity are vital as they head into the crucial match.
“I’m always prepared. It’s my duty to perform and help the team,” Onyango said. “We need to stay positive and protect each other. It will be tough for the young players, but this is part of learning.”
Onyango echoed Ikpeazu’s call for collective responsibility, stating that the team would not dwell on missed opportunities.
“It was a good chance to get three points. We didn’t, but we’re not going to cry about it. We have another opportunity, and we must keep going.”
Striker Ivan Ahumbisibwe said the Cranes are looking ahead, confident that lessons from the draw against Tanzania will improve their strategy.
“We believe in ourselves,” he said. “We will go back to the drawing board and prepare with the right mindset to win the next game.”
Uganda now faces a tough challenge against Nigeria, who qualified for the round of 16 after narrowly defeating Tunisia 3-2 in Fez. The Cranes will meet the Super Eagles on Tuesday in Fez, knowing that only a win will significantly boost their chances of reaching the knockout stage.