In one of the most remarkable stories of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Uganda Cranes forward Denis Omedi has captured continental attention by scoring on his tournament debut against Tunisia while balancing his football career with a job as a prison warder.
From Prison Duty to AFCON Glory: The Denis Omedi Story
The 31-year-old striker, who works for the Uganda Prisons Service, came off the bench at halftime to net a late consolation goal for Uganda in their 3-1 Group C defeat to Tunisia in Rabat. Despite the loss, Omedi's strike ensured the Cranes left the pitch with a memorable moment from their opening match of the continental showpiece.
Omedi's journey to the AFCON stage is a testament to perseverance. As recently as 2019, he was a part-time footballer simultaneously pursuing a diploma in nursing. His career path took a definitive turn when he joined the prison service, fitting training sessions around his duty schedules and making significant sacrifices to play matches.
His inclusion in Uganda's AFCON 2025 squad alone was a victory, representing countless African players outside traditional professional systems. Scoring a goal at the tournament has now elevated his unique narrative to an inspirational level.
Tunisia Secures Victory Despite Omedi's Late Strike
The match itself saw Tunisia establish early dominance. Ellyes Skhiri opened the scoring within the first 10 minutes with a powerful header. Elias Achouri then doubled the Carthage Eagles' lead before the interval and completed his brace with a third goal midway through the second half, seemingly putting the game beyond Uganda's reach.
Uganda struggled to create clear-cut opportunities for much of the contest. It was in added time that Omedi, seizing his moment on the big stage, fired home a deflected shot that beat the Tunisian goalkeeper. While the goal did not affect the match's outcome, it provided a historic personal milestone for the debutant.
Next Challenge: A Daunting Encounter with Nigeria's Super Eagles
With the opening matches concluded, Group C now sets the stage for a pivotal clash. Following Nigeria's 2-1 victory over Tanzania—secured by goals from Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman—the Super Eagles sit alongside Tunisia at the top of the group on goal difference.
All attention now shifts to Uganda's next fixture against the three-time African champions. For Omedi and his teammates, the challenge is immense, but the striker's unexpected rise and goal-scoring debut have injected a belief that they can potentially cause an upset.
For Nigeria, the match represents another crucial test in their quest to advance from the group stage. Coach Eric Chelle's side will be wary of the threat posed by Uganda's newfound hero, whose remarkable story continues to unfold at AFCON 2025.
