Rogers Mato Earns Uganda Historic Draw Against Tunisia

Rogers Mato’s second-half goal earned Uganda Cranes a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in their opening 2027 AFCON qualifier in Radès.

Rogers Mato delivered a memorable second-half equaliser as Uganda Cranes fought back to hold Tunisia to a 1-1 draw in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in Radès.

Tunisia took an early lead through Adem Arous, but Uganda refused to allow the match to slip away. Mato restored parity in the 68th minute with a long-range finish, earning Paul Put’s side an important away point on Thursday, September 24.

The result gave Uganda a positive beginning to its Group H programme against one of Africa’s traditionally established national teams. CAF’s official fixture schedule placed Uganda alongside Tunisia, Libya and Botswana in the qualifying group.

Tunisia Strike Early in Radès

The hosts began with urgency and placed Uganda under pressure during the opening stages. Playing their first qualifier under coach Mouine Chaâbani, Tunisia moved the ball quickly and attempted to exploit spaces before the Cranes could settle.

Arous produced the breakthrough after receiving the ball from Khalil Ayari. The early goal gave the Carthage Eagles control of the contest and forced Uganda to pursue the game away from home.

The Cranes had travelled to Tunisia following a demanding build-up. Put said part of his squad had endured a 28-hour journey, leaving limited time for preparation and recovery before the match.

Uganda were also without some established defensive options. Nevertheless, the visitors remained competitive after conceding and prevented Tunisia from building a commanding advantage.

Goalkeeper Denis Onyango provided experience at the back, while Uganda’s defensive unit grew more comfortable as the match progressed.

Cranes Improve After Difficult Opening

Uganda gradually found a better balance between defending and attacking. Rather than committing too many players forward immediately, the Cranes remained patient and waited for opportunities to emerge.

That discipline kept the deficit at one goal and allowed Uganda to approach the second half with a realistic chance of recovering.

Put’s side showed greater attacking ambition after the interval. The midfield competed more effectively for possession, while Uganda’s forward players began occupying spaces closer to Tunisia’s penalty area.

The improvement eventually created the moment that transformed the match.

Mato Produces the Equaliser

Mato brought Uganda level in the 68th minute, beating the Tunisian defence with a powerful effort from outside the penalty area.

The goal rewarded Uganda’s persistence and continued the forward’s encouraging form for club and country. 

Mato entered the international window after making a strong start to the 2026/27 season with Heart of Midlothian. He had scored in both of his first two competitive starts for the Scottish club, including a goal against Stenhousemuir in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final.

His contribution in Tunisia demonstrated why his pace and direct approach remain valuable to the Cranes. More importantly, the goal came when Uganda needed someone to take responsibility in a difficult away fixture.

Tunisia attempted to regain control after the equaliser, but the Cranes protected the point and avoided conceding again.

Match Details

A Significant Result for Uganda

Uganda entered the contest having struggled in recent meetings with Tunisia. The Carthage Eagles defeated the Cranes 3-1 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, when Denis Omedi scored Uganda’s late consolation goal.

That background made the response in Radès particularly encouraging. Uganda conceded early but avoided becoming disorganised, stayed within reach of the hosts and found an equaliser during the second half.

The performance was not flawless. Tunisia enjoyed periods of control, while Uganda still had to absorb pressure away from home. However, the Cranes displayed resilience and showed that they could recover after a difficult start against strong opposition.

For Put, the result also supplied useful information as he continues building towards the continental finals. Competitive qualifiers provide a more demanding test of his players than friendly matches, even though Uganda already has a place at AFCON 2027.

How Group H Qualification Works

Uganda has qualified automatically for the 2027 AFCON finals as one of the three co-hosts alongside Kenya and Tanzania.

The co-hosts are still participating in the qualification competition. CAF has explained that in groups containing an automatically qualified host, one additional team will advance to the final tournament. That arrangement leaves Tunisia, Libya and Botswana competing for the remaining qualification position in Group H. 

Uganda’s results still matter. The matches give the Cranes competitive preparation, affect the group standings and allow Put to assess his squad against opponents pursuing qualification.

Libya Test Comes Next

Uganda’s next qualifier is against Libya on Tuesday, September 29. CAF scheduled the match for 16:00 GMT, which is 7:00 p.m. East African Time.

The fixture provides another opportunity for the Cranes to develop momentum following the draw in Tunisia. It will also test their recovery because only five days separate the two matches.

Put must decide whether to retain the core of the team that performed in Radès or introduce fresh players from his expanded squad. Mato’s form makes him a strong candidate to remain involved, although the coach will also consider fatigue, tactical balance and the qualities Libya bring.

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Final Thoughts

Uganda’s draw in Radès was built on patience, resilience and one outstanding finish from Mato. Tunisia’s early goal could have placed the Cranes under sustained pressure, but Put’s team remained organised and improved after the interval. 

Mato’s equaliser ensured Uganda began its qualifying campaign with a valuable away point and added another important moment to the forward’s growing international reputation. Attention now turns to Libya, where the Cranes will seek to build on the discipline and determination displayed in Tunisia.