Saturday Dec 27, 2025. 23:57
Join AfricanFootball.com for LIVE updates from all 52 matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, as 24 teams battle for glory in Morocco from 21 December to 18 January.
Today’s matches:
14h30 – Benin 1-0 Botswana
17h00 – Senegal 1-1 DR Congo
19h30 – Uganda 1-1 Tanzania
22h00 – Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia
Updates:
Full-time – Nigeria 3 (Osimhen 44′, Ndidi 50′, Lookman 67′) Tunisia 2 (Talbi 75′, Abdi 87′ PEN). The Super Eagles survive a late fightback from Tunisia to come away with all three points and take sole ownsership of top spot in Group C. This is now the highest-scoring game of AFCON 2025, surpassing the Eagles of Carthage’s 3-1 victory over Uganda in the opening round.
90+6′ Ismael Gharbi isn’t far away from equalising with a volley from the edge of the box that goes narrowly past the left post and had Nwabali scrambling.
87′ – Goal! Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia. Ali Abdi keeps his cool to beat Nwabali from 12 yards out. Nigeria will be sweating now after seeing their three-goal lead reduced top just one.
86′ – The referee points to the spot. Penalty for the Eagles of Carthage.
84′ – Tunisia want a penalty after the ball strikes Bright Osayi-Samuel on the arm inside the box. The referee waves play on but is instructed the review the incident on the pitchside monitor by VAR.
80′ We’ve entered the final 10 minutes in Fez. Can Tunisia find another goal to inject some nervousness into the Nigerians?
75′ Goal! Nigeria 3-1 Tunisia. Perhaps it’s not yet over. The Eagles of Carthage show some life as Montassar Talbi steers a bullet header past Stanley Nwabali from a free-kick. That was their first attempt on target too.
67′ Goal! Nigeria 3-0 Tunisia. The game is effectively over after Lookman gives the Super Eagles a three-goal cushion. The Ademola Lookman star is played in by Osimhen and keeps his cool to tuck his shot home in off the left post.
61′ – Tunisia make their first change although it’s an enforced one as Mohamed Ben Romdhane cannot continue after picking up an injury and is replaced by Sebastian Tounekti.
50′ – Goal! Nigeria 2-0 Tunisia. The Super Eagles get off to a flying start in the second half as Ndidi powers a header home from a corner to double their advantage. Tunisia have a mountain to climb now.
46′ – Nigeria get the ball rolling in the second half.
Half-time – Nigeria 1 (Osimhen 44′) Tunisia 0. The Super Eagles are good value for their one-goal lead, having created no less than 10 chances and enjoying 70 per cent of the possession in the first half. Tunisia need to figure out a plan at the break if they want to get back into the contest.
44′ – Goal! Nigeria 1-0 Tunisia. The Eagles of Carthage switch off just before the break as Ademola Lookman gets to the byline and sends in a lofted cross that Osimhen heads home from close range.
36′ Wilfred Ndidi latches onto a ball on the edge of the box and has a pop at goal, but first-time shot flies well over the target.
35′ Here’s a stat to highlight the Super Eagles’ dominance. They’ve completed 201 of their 225 attempted passes compared to just 56 from 83 for Sami Trabelsi’s side.
30′ – Half an hour gone in Fez and neither goalkeeper has been seriously tested yet.
22′ Midway through the first half and Nigeria are bossing proceedings, having already had six attempts at goal compared to just one for Tunisia.
18′ – The Nigerian fans inside the stadium erupt after Osimhen slots home what they think is the opening goal. However, the offside flag goes up to cut short their celebrations.
11′ Osimhen has another sniff at goal, this time from a corner, although the result is the same after he fails to keep the ball down and it sails over the crossbar once more.
9′ – The first chance of the game comes the way of Nigeria as Victor Osimhen gets away from his marker to meet a cross, but directs his header inches over the crossbar.
1′ – We are up and running in the first half at the Fez Stadium.
What the managers said:
Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle: “We are satisfied with the three points. That is the most important [thing]. For the moment, I want to focus on the positives.
“The second part of the game shows clearly that there is still some work to be done – especially when it comes to killing the game [off]. We are aware of this, and we will work on it.”
Tunisia head coach Sami Trabelsi: “We have other players who performed better than expected. I am sure the whole team is very effective and hoping to have the entire squad fit for all our matches.
“For us we consider all matches to be difficult, and we give them the respect required. Our goal is to improve with each match as we gain momentum.”
Tunisia endured a disappointing campiagn in Ivory Coast last time out after bowing out at the group stages, having reached the quarter-finals at least in the previous four editions.
Nigeria were runners-up at the previous Africa Cup of Nations edition in Ivory Coast, with the last of their three titles coming in 2013.
Nigeria and Tunisia will be fighting for supremacy in Group C when they lock horns at the Fez Stadium. Both teams started the tournament with a win: the Super Eagles beat Tanzania 2-1 on December 23, while the Eagles of Carthage ran out convincing 3-1 victors over Uganda.
Nigeria v Tunisia starting line-ups:
Nigeria: S. Nwabali, B. Osayi-Samuel, S. Ajayi, C. Bassey, B. Onyemaechi, F. Onyeka, W. Ndidi, A. Iwobi, A. Lookman, V. Osimhen, A. Adams.
Tunisia: A. Dahmen, Y. Valery, D. Bronn, M. Talbi, A. Abdi, F. Sassi, M. Ben Romdhane, E. Skhiri, E. Achouri, H. Mastouri, H. Mejbri.
Full time: Uganda 1-1 Tanzania. The Taifa Stars are denied a first ever AFCON win. as both teams winless runs continue. Both sides will need wins on Tuesday if they are to stand a chance of making the knockout stages. Uganda will face Nigeria at the Fez Stadium in Fes and Tanzania will tackle Tunisia at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
91’ Allan Okello misses from the spot, sending his penalty over the bar, possibly costing his side the win.
88’ The Cranes are given the chance to win it from the penalty spot. Haji Mnoga pulled James Bogere’s shirt and brought him down in the area and receives a yellow card.
80’ GOAL Uganda 1-1 Tanzania. Substitute Uche Ikpeazu scores in his third minute on the pitch to draw the Cranes level in the 80th minute. Denis Omedi receives a brilliant diagonal long-ball on the right side of the area and finds Ikpeazu in the middle, who dives to make contact and put the ball past Foba.
70’ Tanzania is growing bolder and continues to push forward. Uganda need to up the tempo and urgency if they are to find an equaliser with 20 minutes of regulation time remaining.
59’ GOAL! Uganda 0-1 Tanzania. Msuva nets his 23rd international goal from the penalty spot to hand the Taifa Stars the lead, smashing the ball into the top left corner. Tanzania have now scored in seven of their last 11 games at the AFCON finals.
46’ We are back underway in Rabat as the East African affair between Uganda and Tanzania continues. The Cranes are looking to end a four-game winless run at the tournament, while the Taifa Stars are looking for a first ever AFCON win. Neither side has made any changes.
Half-time: Uganda 0-0 Tanzania. The Cranes enjoyed 57% possession with three shots on target, while Tanzania only managed three shots, none of which troubling Onyango.
40’ Uganda continue to dominate possession and chances as the fixture approaches half-time, but the Cranes are yet to find the back of the net
26’ Play resumes after a break for medical treatment. Tanzanian goalkeeper Zuberi Foba went down after a collision with the post and an apparent issue with his foot. He has continued in goal for the Taifa Stars.
16’ The Cranes are denied by the crossbar as Rogers Mato’s glancing header at the near post crashes into the bar. End-to-end action as the game begins to open up.
8’ Uganda’s Allan Okello has the first chance of the game, carrying the ball into the opposition box and shooting for the bottom left corner. His attempt is denied by a strong punch from Zuberi Foba.
1’ We have kick-off at the Al Medina Stadium stadium in Rabat as Uganda begins with the ball and boots it downfield.
The Taifa Stars have registered seven losses in 10 AFCON appearances, becoming the fourth team in the competition’s history to fail to grab a win in their first 10 games. They have never won a group-stage game at the tournament and will be looking to make history.
The Cranes are on a four-game four game winless run at the tournament, having lost their last three games at the continental showpiece. They have only one win in their last nine games at the competition. Since the introduction of a group stage in 1968, Uganda have never won their second group match, losing four times and drawing twice.
Starting line-ups:
Uganda: D. Onyango, A. Kayondo, J. Obita, T. Sibbick, K. Semakula, B. Alhassan, T. Mutyaba, B. Byaruhanga, R. Mato, J. Ssemugabi, A. Okello
Tanzania: Z. Foba, M. Husseini, I. Hamad, B. Mwamnyeto, H. Mnoga, S. Msuva, A. Msanga, F. Salum, N. Miroshi, T. Allarakhia, K. John
Both sides are yet to secure a point in group C, with the Cranes falling to Tunisia 3-1 and the Taifa Stars losing 2-1 to Nigeria in their respective opening fixtures.
Despite meeting 61 times, this will be the first clash between the two sides at AFCON. Uganda have the advantage on aggregate with 33 wins, while Tanzania have won 12, with 16 matches drawn.
19:00 Matchday two gets underway for group C at AFCON, as Uganda and Tunisia are set to tussle at the Al Medina Stadium stadium in Rabat. Kick-off is at 19:30 CAT.
Full-time – Senegal 1 (Mane 69′) DR Congo 1 (Bakambu 61′). The points are shared between the Lions of Teranga and the Leopards in what was a much more subdued match compared to their last two encounters which produced seven goals. Senegal remain in top spot ahead of DR Congo on goal difference followed by Benin, who are a point behind them in third place.
90′ – Four additional minutes have signaled by the fourth official.
85′ – Will there be a winning goal in the final five minutes? DR Congo have looked much better in the second half despite continuing to see far less of the ball, while Senegal haven’t been as adventurous.
72′ – The goals stand. We are all square again in Tangier.
70′ – It appears the referee has a decision to make after being summoned to the pitchside monitor by VAR.
69′ – Goal! Senegal 1-1 DR Congo. The game has come to life as Mane quickly hits back for the Lions of Teranga. The winger pounced on a rebound and unleashed a shot that nestles inside the left post.
65′ – DR Congo almost double their advantage when an unmarked Theo Bongonda controls a cross on the edge of the box and fizzes a shot narrowly past the right post.
60′ – Goal! Senegal 0-1 DR Congo. The Leopards make the breakthrough. They have definitely shifted gears after the restart and Bakambu has the simple task of tapping home from close range after the ball rebounded into his path.
53′ – Finally a goalkeeper is given some work to do as Noah Sadiki is teed up on the edge of the boz and his shot through a crowded penalty area is saved by Mendy.
46′ – We are back underway in Tangier. Let’s hope we get a goal or two in the second half. We’ve had one goalless draw so far in the tournament between Zambia and Comoros.
Half-time – Senegal 0 DR Congo 0. Not a great first half of football as Senegal have bossed proceedings without threatening the oppostion goal too much. Edouard Mendy has been a virtual spectator after being given almost nothing to do in the opening 45 minutes. The Leopards appear to be playing within themselves, possibly hoping that Senegal tire in the second half and slip up.
45′ – The fourth official indicates there will be two minutes of additional time. Now would not be a good time to concede a goal.
38′ – Sadio Mane is a whisker away from breaking the deadlock with a free-kick that flashes narrowly past the left post.
35′ – Cedric Bakambu is treading on thin ice with the referee after committing two cynical fouls and is warned he will be booked if he oversteps again.
30′ – Half an hour gone in Tangier and the score remains goalless, with neither goalkeeper even required to make a save yet.
22′ – Jackson is presented with another chance from a similar distance, but the result is the same after he shoots wide of the left post once more.
15′ Senegal have enjoyed 69 per cent of the possession in the opening 15 minutes, but they’ve only created one chance of note thus far.
14′ Aaron Wan-Bissaka thinks he has scored, but DR Congo’s celebrations are cut short by the offside flag.
9′ – After a fairly low-key start to proceedings, we finally have some action as Nicolas Jackson is picked out on the edge of the box and he lines up a shot that flies just wide of the left post.
1′ – The referee gets the match underway at the Tangier Grand Stadium.
What was said:
Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw: “We faced a very strong team, with a deep and compact defensive block. We could have scored more, but what stands out most is my team’s commitment and discipline.
“What I take away from this match is the team’s professionalism. The players followed instructions and got the job done.”
Man-of-the-Match Theo Bongonda (DR Congo): “It was a difficult match. Personally, I didn’t know Benin very well. When you look at this AFCON, no team wins easily.
“It’s true that we only scored one goal, but we took the three points. The most important thing is to keep moving forward and go as far as possible in this competition.”
The Leopards also made a winning start to the tournament as they edged Benin 1-0 on December 23 courtesy of Theo Bongonda’s 16th-minute goal. Sebastien Desabre’s side faced Senegal as recently as September 9 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier when they squandered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2, with Pape Matar Sarr scoring in the 87th minute to complete the comeback.
AFCON 2021 champions Senegal will be looking to build on their comfortable 3-0 victory over Botswana on December 23 which put them at the top of Group D. Nicolas Jackson (40′, 58′) and Cherif Ndiaye (90′) scored the goals as the Lions of Teranga started stronghly to record the biggest winning margin of the opening round alongside Algeria, who beat Sudan 3-0 on December 24.
Senegal v DR Congo starting line-ups:
Senegal: E. Mendy, K. Diatta, K. Koulibaly, M. Niakhate, I. Jakobs, I. Gueye, P. Gueye, I. Sarr, I. Ndiaye, S. Mane, N. Jackson.
DR Congo: L. Mpasi, A. Wan-Bissaka, C. Mbemba, A. Tuanzebe, A. Masuaku, S. Moutoussamy, T. Bongonda, N. Mukau, N. Sadiki, M. Elia, C. Bakambu.
Both teams will play theirr final group stage games on Tuesday.
Full-time: Benin 1-0 Botswana. The Cheetahs snap their run of 15 games at the finals without a win, whilst Botswana’s losing streak moves to five games
85’ The Cheetahs remain in front as Botswana are failing to do any real damage. The Zebra’s are running out of time to end their losing streak at the tournament. Benin has failed to grab hold of its chances to double its lead.
70’ Another chance missed for Benin. Roche’s cross misses defenders and its target alike, finding its way to Tamimou Ouorou at the edge of the box. His long shot takes a looping deflection, but is dealt with by goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko.
60’ The scoreline remains the same as neither side is able to produce any real chances. Botswana are starting to enjoy more possession and apply more pressure.
46’ The second half is underway at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium as the Zebras look to draw level.
Half-time: Benin 1-0 Botswana. Roche’s strike in the 28th minute separates the two sides. The Zebras have had chances, but have failed to capitalise on them as Benin dominates possession.
37’ The Zebras’ nearly pull one back. Mothusi Johnson strikes a well hit free-kick, curling up and over the wall, and striking the bar in an unlucky miss with goalkeeper Marcel Dandjinou beaten.
28’ GOAL! Yohan Roche nets for the Cheetahs to open the scoring. Steve Mounie plays him into the box and his shot takes a fortunate deflection, looping over the goalkeeper. Benin 1-0 Botswana.
26’ Tumisang Orebonye misses a huge chance to put the Zebras in front. He mishits a volley from in front of goal – off of the rebound from a set piece – sending it over the crossbar.
13’ Botswana’s Kabelo Seakanyeng receives an early yellow card for a careless challenge on Junior Olaitan.
4’ Goal disallowed. Benin have an opener denied as Steve Mounie mistimes his run, rendering his assist null from an offside position.
1’ We are underway at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Starting line-ups:
Botswana: G. Phoko, A. Velaphi, M. Gaolaolwe, T. Ditlhokwe, M. Johnson, G. Mohutsiwa, L. Ditsele, K. Seakanyeng, T. Orebonye, L. Ratshukudu, O. Kebatho
Benin: M. Dandjinou, Y. Roche, O. Verdon, M. Tijani, T. Ouorou D. Dokou, S. D’Almeida, I. Hassane, J. Olaitan, S. Mounie, O. Aiyegun
Should the Zebras lose, they will join Benin as the second country to lose all five of its first five matches at the AFCON finals.
Botswana has continued to struggle at the continental showpiece, losing its opening game 3-0 to Senegal to extend its losing streak at the tournament to four games. Similarly, Benin has lost its last 15 matches at the AFCON finals after falling 1-0 to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) in its opening fixture.
This will be the first ever meeting between the two countries.
2:02pm – Matchday two continues at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco as Botswana take on Benin at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Kick-off is at 2:30pm CAT.