Tunisia vs Uganda: Skhiri, Mejbri, Okello, among players who could make the difference
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Tunisia’s engine room could dictate play against Uganda
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has garnered more attention than any previous edition, with the tournament being beamed out to all corners of the globe. We will be covering every match of the continental showpiece in our AFCON 2025 predictions, so be sure to check them out.
One of the major reasons for the heightened interest in AFCON 2025 is the wealth of talent on display, with a large percentage of the players who will feature in the tournament plying their trade in some of the biggest clubs across the world.
Tunisia are one such team, and their midfield is one of the most formidable on paper. The Eagles of Carthage’s engine room has a perfect blend of experience, flair, and grit, which will make them a handful for anyone they come up against. Get more insights in our Tunisia vs Uganda prediction.
At the heart of the setup is Eintract Frankfurt’s seasoned midfielder Ellyes Skhiri, who provides the team with robust defensive cover to shield his backline. His calming presence, incredible stamina, and solid ball-winning ability are major assets for the team in the middle of the park.
Ismael Gharbi, meanwhile, brings the youthful energy which allows him to contribute at both ends of the pitch. The Augsburg midfielder is renowned for his footwork, close control and vision - qualities that can help Tunisia dictate the tempo of the game.
Complementing Skhiri and Gharbi is Hannibal Mejbri. The former Manchester United starlet possesses incredible passing accuracy and often drifts deeper before driving at the heart of opposing defences, which creates space for forwards to exploit.
Throw in the likes of experienced campaigners such as Ferjani Sassi and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, and the Eagles of Carthage’s midfield looks like one of the most well-balanced at this year’s AFCON - a combination that could prove decisive against Uganda.
Uganda’s fearless attack to test Tunisia’s defensive solidity
To counter Tunisia’s solid and experienced midfield and defensive line, Uganda will need to make the most of their attacking unit, which Paul Put has built around mobility, direct running and a fair bit of individual brilliance.
At the centre of the Cranes’ attacking setup is Allan Okello, one of the team’s most productive forwards. The Vipers SC attacker has notched up five goals and four assists in his last nine appearances and has been central to the team’s ability to create quality chances up top.
The penetration in the attack comes from Rogers Mato, whose pace and physical presence make him a constant threat to opposing defences. The 22-year-old arrives at his first AFCON in a rich vein of form for Vardar in the Prva Liga, where he has scored 12 goals and provided two assists in just 13 league games this season.
One player who many Ugandan fans are eager to see in action in Morocco is the electric 17-year-old wonderkid James Bogere, who is widely considered the brightest young prospect that the nation has produced in recent years.
The teenager is one of the youngest players at the AFCON this year and earned his call-up after proving indispensable for the Uganda Cubs, for whom he scored a sensational 14 goals in 15 matches across the U17 AFCON, CECAFA Qualifiers and at the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar last month.
Collectively, the Cranes’ attack is expected to rely heavily on speed, vertical play and individual capabilities, given that they are likely to have to play most matches in the group on the counterattack against teams that dominate possession, such as Tunisia and Nigeria’s Super Eagles.
