AFCON 2025: Group C & D matchday 2 as it happened

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Summary

· Tanzania’s quest for a maiden AFCON win continues after draw with Uganda in East African derby

· Nigeria holds on to beat Tunisia in five-goal thriller to secure a spot in the round of 16

· Benin finally breaks AFCON duck with first-ever win

· Senegal and DR Congo share spoils but edge closer to last 16

The penultimate group matches of group C and D of the ongoing 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco lived up to the billing.

All matches on Saturday, December 27, saw at least one goal scored, with the clash pitting Nigeria against Tunisia topping the charts with five goals.

Here is how the actions in the two groups unfolded.

Tanzania wait goes on after missed chance

Tanzania’s wait for a first-ever AFCON victory continued after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Uganda in an East African Derby.

The Taifa Stars have now failed to win any of their 11 matches at the AFCON. They came close to making history when Simon Msuva found the breakthrough from the spot nine minutes after the restarts but were condemned to another wait when Uche Ikpeazu levelled for Uganda.

The Cranes had the chance to complete a comeback and secure a vital win to maintain their hopes of qualifying from group C but Allan Okello missed a stoppage time penalty.

Tanzania and Uganda both lost their opening games. They occupy the second half of group C with one point each.

Nigeria reach round 16

In the second game of group C, three-times AFCON winners Nigeria qualified for the round 16 of the 2025 AFCON with a game to spare.

The Super Eagles held on to defeat Tunisia in a five-goal-thriller to become the second nation to book a place in the next round after record winners Egypt.

Last edition ‘s losing finalist enjoyed a comfortable three-goal lead with goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman before the last 20 minutes of the game.

However, the team suffered from defensive frailties and were almost denied a win by a much-improved Tunisia side in the later stage of the second half.

Montassar Talbi headed home Hannibal Mejbri free-kick to pull one back 15 minutes to stoppage time and Ali Abdi converted from the spot to make it 3-2 with three minutes remaining.

Despite a flurry of late pressure, the North African giants failed to secure a point and succumbed to their first defeat of the tournament. Tunisia had finished in the qualifiers of the 2025 AFCON unbeaten and without conceding.

The 2004 champions still have a chance to qualify. They face Tanzania in the final group fixture. A draw will be enough to see them through.

Benin makes history at last

In group D, the Benin national team made history by securing their first-ever AFCON win in their history.

The West African nation edged Botswana 1-0 at the Stade Olympique Annexe Complexe Sportif Prince Abdellah in Rabat, Morocco.

28-year-old defender Yohan Roche scored the solitary goal two minutes before the half-hour mark from Steve Mounie’s assist to inspire his team to a vital win.

The victory over Botswana was the first for Benin in their 16th matches at the AFCON during the last five editions.

The team is third on the table with three points, one point behind second place the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and leaders Senegal, whom they face in their final group fixture on December 30 at Stade Ibn-Batouta in Tanger.

Benin hopes to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition. Speaking to Canal + during daily programme Soir de CAN, the captain of Benin, Steve Mounie said: “We talked about wanting to write history. If we didn’t win, we would have been the team to have played more matches at the AFCON without winning. We now look forward to qualifying for the knockout stages”.

“We hope that these three three points will be enough to see us through to the next stage of the competition. After the round of 16, everything is possible,” the Alanyaspor forward added.

Benin national team captain Steve Mounie

Benin reached the round of 16 during the 2019 AFCON in Egypt with three points. They also defeated Morocco on penalties to reach the quarter-final, the best ever results for The Cheetahs in the competition.

Senegal, DR Congo edge closer to last 16

Two former winners of the AFCON, Senegal and the DR Congo missed the chance to advance to the group stages of the AFCON with a game to spare.

DR Congo was on course to securing their round of 16 ticket after Real Betis striker Cedric Bakambu put the Leopards ahead after an easy tap in from a rebound after Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy failed to hold onto Theo Bongonda’s strike.

But former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane-who scored the crucial kick to hand Senegal their maiden AFCON title-equalized from close range.

The stalemate means the winner of the group will be decided during the final fixture of the group with Senegal and DR Congo-who both secured wins during their opening fixtures-with four points each.

While Benin takes on Senegal, Botswana entertains DR Congo. Both matches will be played simultaneously on December 30 in Tangier and Rabat respectively.

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