AFCON Group C: Nigeria Secures Qualification While Tanzania Hopes for Upset Against Tunisia

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) has continued to be thrilling, particularly in Group C, where the outcomes of two matches played have reshaped the landscape of the qualification battle.

Nigeria (the Super Eagles) maintained their impressive form by defeating Tunisia 3–2 in a match filled with speed and competition. From the outset, Nigeria displayed great focus, and their efforts bore fruit in the 44th minute when Victor Osimhen scored a clean goal just before halftime.

As the second half resumed, Nigeria kept pressing forward, adding a second goal in the 50th minute through Wilfred Ndidi, followed by Ademola Lookman, who netted the third in the 67th minute, seemingly sealing the deal early.

However, Tunisia was not ready to accept defeat easily; Talbi reduced the deficit in the 74th minute, and later Abdi scored from a penalty in the 87th minute, but it still wasn't enough to change the outcome.

These results secured Nigeria three crucial points, placing them at the top of the group.

In another match of the same group, Tanzania's Taifa Stars bravely faced off against Uganda Cranes, ending in a 1–1 draw at the Al Barid stadium in Rabat, leaving hopes still alive.

Tanzania scored in the 54th minute with a penalty from Simon Happygod Msuva, who, with that goal, etched his name in history, reaching 25 goals and matching the record of Mrisho Ngassa as the all-time top scorer for Taifa Stars. Uganda equalized in the 80th minute through Ikpeazu, and then had a chance to win the match in the 89th minute with a penalty, but Allan Okello failed to convert, allowing the Stars to leave with a valuable point.

Will Taifa Stars Dim Tunisia's Hopes in the Upcoming Clash?

After suffering a 3–2 defeat to Nigeria, Tunisia (Carthage Eagles) now find themselves in a bad situation as they prepare to face Tanzania's Taifa Stars on Tuesday in a match that will determine who packs their bags and who advances to the knockout stage of AFCON 2025.

Coach Sami Trabelsi has made it clear that his team is hurting. They demonstrated remarkable resilience against Nigeria, coming back from a 3–0 deficit to narrow the score to 3–2.

The match between Tunisia and Nigeria serves as a warning for Tanzania, as Tunisia boasts an attacking line capable of scoring at any moment, particularly through set pieces and crosses from Hannibal Mejbri aimed at tall defenders like Montassar Talbi.

Despite their strengths, the game against Nigeria exposed significant weaknesses in Tunisia, especially the slow pace of their defenders. The Tunisian backline struggled to cope with the speed of Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen. This presents an opportunity for Tanzania's speedy forwards to exploit that vulnerability.

Tunisia will enter the field under pressure to secure a win. If Taifa Stars can manage to thwart early attacks and force Tunisia to waste time, there is a strong possibility that their opponents will make careless mistakes, providing openings for the Taifs Stars.

However, Taifa Stars must remain vigilant against Tunisia's midfield, which is led by experienced players. After witnessing how Nigeria penetrated the midfield, the Taifa Stars' midfielders need to play with high discipline and utilize quick counter-attacks.