AFCON 2025: Nigeria advance, Benin earn historic win, Senegal draw DR Congo, East African derby stalemate

Benin secured a vital 1–0 victory over Botswana, Senegal play out to a thrilling draw with DR Congo, Uganda and Tanzania in East Africa derby stalemate while Tunisia lock horns with Nigeria in the final match of the day

• Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia

Nigeria survived a dramatic late surge from Tunisia to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory in Fez on Saturday night, becoming the second team to book their place in the Round of 16 at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025.

In the last game of four thrilling duels in Morocco, the Super Eagles appeared to be cruising after racing into a commanding 3-0 lead.

But, a spirited Tunisian comeback in the final quarter turned the contest into a tense affair under the lights.

Goals from Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi gave the Carthage Eagles renewed hope, but Nigeria showed composure to hold on and claim a vital win.

Ademola Lookman had delivered a standout performance with two assists and a goal, as Eric Chelle’s side cruised to a commanding lead. 

A pinpoint delivery from the left by Lookman picked out Victor Osimhen, who rose powerfully to head home the opener a minute to halftime.

The striker’s threat from aerial balls had earlier posed a threat to Tunisia, seeing two of his headers fly inches over.

Carrying their momentum into the second half, Nigeria needed only four minutes after the restart to double their advantage.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi towered above the defense to nod in a Lookman corner.

The 2024 CAF African Player of the Year then capped a superb individual display in the 66th minute, rifling a left-footed strike into the net from inside the box after a clever cut-back by Osimhen. Tunisia however refused to fold.

 In the 75th minute, Talbi reduced the deficit with a precise header from Hannibal Mejbri’s well-delivered free-kick.

The goal sparked belief, and 10 minutes later the North Africans were handed a lifeline when VAR ruled that Bright Osayi-Samuel had handled the ball inside the area.

Ali Abdi stepped up confidently, smashing the penalty into the roof of the net to set up a nervy finish.

Tunisia came agonizingly close to completing the comeback in stoppage time, but captain Ferjani Sassi’s header drifted inches wide.

Nigeria ultimately held firm to register a second successive win, moving to six points and top of Group C.

They face Uganda in the final match in Fez next Tuesday while Tunisia, who are on three points, travel to Rabat to face Tanzania.

• Uganda 1-1 Tanzania

Allan Okello’s stoppage-time penalty miss proved costly as an intense East African derby between Uganda and Tanzania ended in a 1–1 draw at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025, at Stade El Barid in Rabat on Saturday night.

Uganda were handed a golden opportunity to claim all three points after substitute Karl Ikpeazu had drawn them level to cancel out Simon Msuva’s opener, but Okello blazed his spot-kick over the crossbar at the stroke of full time, denying the Cranes a dramatic victory.

Victory would have significantly boosted Uganda’s hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.

Instead, the draw leaves both sides facing must-win scenarios on the final day of Group C action.

The contest lived up to its billing as a fiercely contested regional derby.

Rodgers Mato went closest in the first half, his powerful header from an Azizi Kayondo cross crashing against the crossbar, while Okello tested Tanzanian goalkeeper Foba Zuberi twice from close range.

At the other end, veteran goalkeeper Dennis Onyango, called in to the starting line-up after sitting out the opening match, produced a composed display to limit Tanzania’s threat, particularly from aerial deliveries.

The tempo remained high after the break, and it was Tanzania who struck first.

In the 58th minute, Alhassan Baba was penalized for handling the ball inside the area while attempting to block Alphonce Msanga’s effort.

Msuva stepped up and confidently converted the resulting penalty.

Uganda pressed for a response and were rewarded 10 minutes later when Ikpeazu dived in to meet a Dennis Omedi cross, heading home to restore parity.

The Cranes then thought they had snatched victory deep into stoppage time, but Okello’s penalty sailed over the bar.

There was still late drama at the other end, as Onyango spilled a cross into a dangerous area, only for substitute Charles M’Mbowa to volley wide and spare Uganda further punishment.

Tanzania will next face Tunisia at the Olympic Stadium on Tuesday, while Uganda travel to Fez for a decisive encounter against Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

•  Senegal 1-1 DR Congo

In Tangier, Sadio Mane struck the equaliser as former champions Senegal came from behind to hold DR Congo to a 1–1 draw in an absorbing encounter.

Cedric Bakambu had handed Les Leopards the lead on the hour mark, capitalizing on sustained second-half pressure, but Senegal responded just eight minutes later through Mane to ensure the points were shared after a lively contest.

The Lions of Teranga dominated much of the first half and left the pitch with a sense of regret, having created several clear opportunities without finding the breakthrough.

Nicolas Jackson went closest early on, his close-range effort from a Mane cut-back drifting inches wide, while Mane himself saw a free-kick from the edge of the area narrowly miss the target.

Ismaila Sarr squandered perhaps the best chance of the half when he volleyed over from close range after a poorly defended set piece, before Pape Gueye forced a smart low save from the Congolese goalkeeper just before the interval.

DR Congo emerged with renewed intent after the restart and were quicker out of the blocks.

Noah Sadiki tested Edouard Mendy with a firm drive before the breakthrough arrived in the 60th minute. Bakambu reacted quickest to tap home after Mendy had initially saved Theo Bongonda’s shot.

Senegal, however, showed character in their response. Substitute Ibrahim Mbaye sparked the move that led to the equalizer with a determined run down the right, his effort parried by the goalkeeper, allowing Mane to arrive at the right moment to calmly slot home the rebound.

Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages of a high-tempo encounter, but neither could find a decisive second goal.

The draw keeps Senegal top of the group on four points, level with DR Congo but ahead on goal difference.

The final group fixtures on Tuesday, Senegal against Benin and DR Congo facing Botswana, will determine the final standings and qualification positions.

• Benin 1-0 Botswana

Yohan Roche’s (28’) first-half strike proved decisive as Benin reignited their TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025 Round of 16 qualification hopes with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Botswana in Rabat.

This was Benin’s first ever victory at the AFCON. The result not only penned a brilliant chapter in their history, but also saw Gernot Rohr’s men respond positively after their opening-day defeat to DR Congo.

Meanwhile, Botswana’s ambitions of a first-ever progression to the knockout stage suffered a major setback following a second consecutive loss.

Benin made a purposeful start and were briefly celebrating inside the opening quarter of an hour before Aiyegun Tosin’s effort was ruled out for offside.

Their persistence was eventually rewarded in the 28th minute when Roche found the breakthrough.

The left-back finished off a pass from captain Steve Mounié, his effort taking a decisive deflection off a defender before beating goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko.

Botswana came close to restoring parity seven minutes before the interval, but Mothusi Johnson’s superb free-kick crashed against the crossbar.

After the restart, Benin looked to put the contest beyond doubt.

Tamimou Ouorou went close on two occasions, first forcing Phoko into a full-stretch save from distance before seeing another deflected effort well gathered by the Botswana goalkeeper.

Botswana pushed forward in the closing stages in search of a lifeline, but lacked the cutting edge required to trouble the Beninese defence.

The Zebras will conclude their Group D campaign against DR Congo in Rabat on Tuesday, while Benin face former champions Senegal in Tangier on the same day, knowing that a positive result could secure their place in the knockout phase.