CASABLANCA, Morocco — At just 17 years and 10 months, James Bogere became the second-youngest player ever to feature in the Africa Cup of Nations. His appearance at the Olympic Stadium on Tuesday night places him behind only Gabon’s Shiva N’Zigou, who debuted at 16 in 2000.
For Uganda, this represents the youngest AFCON appearance since 1974, signaling a bold commitment to the next generation of talent.
Clinical Tunisia takes control
The match, played under a steady Moroccan downpour, saw the North Africans exert their dominance early. Tunisia took the lead in the 10th minute when Eintracht Frankfurt’s Ellyes Skhiri rose highest to head home a pinpoint corner from Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri.
Tunisia doubled their advantage five minutes before the interval. Mohamed Elyes Achouri of FC Copenhagen was perfectly positioned to tap in from close range, leaving the Cranes with a steep mountain to climb at halftime.
Uganda’s resurgence and consolation
Looking for a spark, Uganda introduced Denis Omedi for Jude Ssemugabi after the break. The tactical shift injected much-needed energy into the Cranes’ attack, with Bogere showing flashes of the “natural goal-scoring instinct” that earned him his senior call-up.
However, Tunisia remained composed, and Achouri struck again late in the second half to complete his brace.
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Uganda finally found the back of the net in the dying minutes when Omedi capitalized on a fluid build-up involving Allan Okello and Toby Sibbick. His effort took a heavy deflection, offering a late consolation for the travelling fans.
The rise of James Bogere
Bogere’s inclusion in the senior squad follows an explosive stint at the youth level, where he netted five goals in eight matches across the AFCON U17 and the FIFA U17 World Cup. Known for his “quick feet and sharp movement,” the young forward recently secured a professional move to Denmark, where he is expected to further refine his skills in a competitive European environment.
Group C standings & the road ahead
In the group’s other fixture, Nigeria secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Tanzania in Fes. The results leave the group finely balanced as the tournament progresses.
| Team | Played | Points | GD |
| Tunisia | 1 | 3 | +2 |
| Nigeria | 1 | 3 | +1 |
| Tanzania | 1 | 0 | -1 |
| Uganda | 1 | 0 | -2 |
What’s Next?
The Uganda Cranes face a “must-win” encounter against neighbors Tanzania this Saturday at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat. Meanwhile, Tunisia and Nigeria will battle for the top spot at the Fez Stadium.
