RABAT, Morocco – Nigeria underlined their attacking quality but had to weather a late onslaught as they edged Tunisia 3-2 in Group C to become the second team to secure a place in the Africa Cup of Nations last 16, while Ibrahim Mbaye injected fresh impetus for Senegal and laid the groundwork for Sadio Mane’s equaliser in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo in Group D.
The Super Eagles followed Egypt into the knockout stage, with the top two teams in each group and the four best third-placed sides across the six pools progressing to the round of 16. Egypt had secured qualification Friday after a 1-0 victory over South Africa sealed top spot in Group B.
Nigeria remains in Fes for their final Group C fixture on Tuesday against Uganda, while Tunisia face Tanzania simultaneously in Rabat, according to Reuters.
Victor Osimhen opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time before Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman struck after the interval. Tunisia, however, mounted a late fightback through defenders Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi, ensuring a tense finale.
The victory marked Nigeria’s second win in Group C and guaranteed them top position regardless of their remaining group match. They sit on six points, three clear of Tunisia, with Tanzania and Uganda trailing on one point apiece.
Osimhen had threatened early, going close on several occasions from as early as the eighth minute as Nigeria pressed aggressively. The breakthrough arrived in the 44th minute when the masked striker rose at the far post to head home Lookman’s pinpoint cross.
Ndidi doubled the advantage five minutes after the restart, climbing above the Tunisian defence to convert from a corner. Osimhen then turned provider in the 67th minute, teeing up Lookman, whose delayed effort squeezed in off the post to make it 3-0.
Tunisia pulled one back in the 74th minute when Talbi met Hannibal Mejbri’s free-kick, with Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali unable to keep it out. The North Africans reduced the deficit further from the penalty spot five minutes from time after the ball struck Bright Osayi-Samuel’s hand, Abdi firing home to set up a frantic finish.
Tunisia came agonisingly close to a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time, but Ferjani Sassi’s header flashed inches wide as Nigeria held on.
Senegal 1-1 DR Congo
Sadio Mane’s second-half equaliser ensured Senegal remained top of Group D after they were held to a 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Cédric Bakambu fired DRC ahead in the 61st minute, but Mané responded eight minutes later, netting his 51st international goal to preserve Senegal’s unbeaten start to the tournament.
The encounter was largely cautious, with both sides measured in their approach, although Nicolas Jackson went close twice for Senegal before the break.
DR Congo thought they had opened the scoring midway through the first half when Aaron Wan-Bissaka found the net, but the effort was ruled out for offside. Their breakthrough eventually came through a slick passing move, with Théo Bongonda’s shot parried by Édouard Mendy into the path of Bakambu, who finished from close range.
Senegal’s equaliser was created by 17-year-old substitute Ibrahim Mbaye, whose driving run unsettled the DRC defence. His effort was saved by Lionel Mpasi, but the rebound fell kindly for Mane to slot home.
Both teams sit on four points from two matches and are well placed to reach the last 16 ahead of their final group fixtures on Tuesday. Senegal leads the group on goal difference after their 3-0 win over Botswana, while DRC edged Benin 1-0.
Tanzania 1-1 Uganda
Uche Ikpeazu struck late to rescue a point for Uganda, but Allan Okello’s missed penalty denied them victory as the Cranes were held to a 1-1 draw by East African rivals Tanzania in their Group C clash in Rabat.
Both teams collected their first points of the tournament after opening their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaigns with defeats to Tunisia and Nigeria respectively.
Tanzania went ahead in the 59th minute when Simon Msuva confidently converted a penalty awarded for a handball in the area. However, the Taifa Stars were again denied a first-ever win at the AFCON finals, extending their wait at the tournament to 11 matches.
Uganda levelled through Ikpeazu, who stooped to head home Denis Omedi’s cross from the right, before being handed a golden opportunity to complete the comeback late on. Referee Jalal Jayed awarded a penalty following a shirt pull on James Bogere by Haji Mnoga, but Okello blasted his spot-kick over the crossbar.
The contest carried a familiar edge between the two regional rivals, despite being their first meeting at the Cup of Nations. Uganda had threatened early when Rogers Mato’s header struck the crossbar inside the opening 15 minutes, though the match only truly opened up after the interval.
Benin 1-0 Botswana
Yohan Roche scored a deflected first-half winner as Benin claimed their maiden victory at the Africa Cup of Nations finals with a 1-0 Group D win over Botswana in Rabat.
The decisive moment came in the 28th minute when Roche exchanged passes with captain Steve Mounié inside the penalty area before his 10-yard effort took a deflection off a defender and crept into the net.
The historic win marked Benin’s first success at the continental finals and kept their hopes of progression alive in Group D.
