The seventh day of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 delivered exactly what this tournament promised: chaos, brilliance, heartbreak, and drama that made you forget it was the day after Christmas. Four matches. Two groups decided (almost). And one massive reminder that African football doesn't do boring.
Let's break down what happened yesterday in Groups C and D, and look ahead to what promises to be an even bigger day today.
Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia: Osimhen finally arrives, then nearly watches it all collapse
The scoreline reads Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia, but that doesn't capture the rollercoaster inside Complexe Sportif de Fès. For 67 minutes, Eric Chelle's Super Eagles looked like legitimate title contenders. For the final 23, they looked like a team desperately clinging to a rope that was fraying fast.
Victor Osimhen finally broke his AFCON goal drought in the 44th minute, rising between two defenders to meet Ademola Lookman's perfectly weighted cross. It was only his second AFCON goal ever—remarkable for a striker of his quality—and it came on his 10th appearance in the competition. Five goals had been disallowed. The frustration had been building. This one, mercifully, counted.
"I don't know why he was having a go at me. I think he thought I was speaking to the referee too much or trying to influence the referee, which wasn't the case. I didn't respond to it," Tunisia coach Hatem Trabelsi said post-match about Osimhen's pointed celebration toward the Tunisian bench. The tension was real, and it fueled a match that never stopped simmering.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi doubled the lead in the 50th minute with his first international goal—a header from a Lookman corner that exposed Tunisia's persistent aerial vulnerability. When Lookman himself made it 3-0 in the 67th minute, finishing clinically after an Osimhen cutback, the match appeared done.
It wasn't.
Montassar Talbi pulled one back in the 74th minute with a header that slipped under goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali—a concerning moment for a keeper who looked uncertain throughout. Then came the controversy: Ali Abdi converted a penalty in the 87th minute after VAR adjudged that Bright Osayi-Samuel handled the ball in the area. Replays showed both players grappling, the ball brushing both. The decision will be debated for weeks.
Tunisia had two chances to equalize in seven minutes of added time—a header from captain Ferjani Sassi just off target, a shot from substitute Ismael Gharbi equally close. Nigeria held on. Barely.
Lookman, named MVP, was everywhere: creating, scoring, controlling. This was the 2024 African Player of the Year at his absolute best. "Against Tunisia, the forward was everywhere, drifting right to pick up the ball and run at defenders, going left to do the same," ESPN noted. If he maintains this level, Nigeria are genuine contenders.
Nigeria top Group C with six points and are through to the Round of 16 as the second team to qualify (after Egypt). Tunisia sit on three points and remain in the hunt.
Uganda 1-1 Tanzania: drama in the downpour, penalty heartbreak in stoppage time
The East African derby at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat had everything: a penalty to take the lead, a late equalizer, and a missed penalty that could have won it—all in torrential rain that made the final minutes feel apocalyptic.
Simon Msuva gave Tanzania the lead from the penalty spot in the 59th minute after Baba Alhassan was penalized for handball. Msuva, who plays club football in Iraq, has now scored at three different AFCON tournaments—a testament to longevity in a continent that often overlooks its experienced campaigners.
But Uganda wouldn't fold. Substitute Uche Ikpeazu—who plays in the Scottish second tier for St Johnstone—headed home a cross from fellow substitute Denis Omedi in the 80th minute. It was the impact Eric Chelle would dream about from his bench.
Then came the drama. Uganda won a penalty in the 90th minute when James Bogere went down after his shirt was pulled by Tanzania's Haji Mnoga. Allan Okello stepped up. A clap of thunder echoed through the stadium just as he struck the ball. It sailed over the bar.
"I have a very bad feeling because I think we didn't deserve this draw. I think we had more opportunities," said Uganda coach Paul Put afterward. Tanzania coach Miguel Angel Gamondi echoed the disappointment: "We wanted our first win at the Africa Cup of Nations and I am very sorry for all the Tanzanian people."
Both teams sit on one point. Both need a result in the final group stage match. Tanzania are still seeking their first-ever AFCON win—11 matches across four tournaments, still waiting.
Senegal 1-1 DR Congo: Mané rescues the Lions, but questions emerge
In Tangier, the rain was coming down and so was Senegal's aura of invincibility. DR Congo stunned the 2022 champions by taking the lead through Cédric Bakambu in the 61st minute—a poacher's finish after goalkeeper Edouard Mendy spilled Théo Bongonda's shot.
For eight minutes, the unthinkable seemed possible. Then Ibrahim Mbaye—a 17-year-old PSG winger making just his second appearance after recently switching international allegiance from France—burst down the right, beat his man, and saw his shot parried into the path of Sadio Mané. The Al Nassr star doesn't miss those. 1-1.
"I think it was a good match. We should have won but unfortunately we couldn't convert all our chances," Mané said. "We expected a difficult match. At the Africa Cup of Nations, you must always be prepared to face any opponent."
DR Congo's Bongonda was pleased: "I'm happy to help my team, and also with the result, but especially with what we showed on the pitch. There was a good reaction compared to the first match."
Senegal had dominated the first half—17 shots on target against Botswana in their opener were the most in an AFCON match since 2010—but couldn't break through. Nicolas Jackson went close. Ismaïla Sarr skied chances. DR Congo's discipline held, then struck.
Both teams are on four points. Senegal lead on goal difference. The question now: is coach Pape Thiaw's side peaking too early, or were they just caught off guard?
Benin 1-0 Botswana: history made in Rabat
Sometimes the smaller stories carry the biggest weight. Yohan Roche's 28th-minute goal gave Benin a 1-0 victory over Botswana—and with it, their first-ever win in Africa Cup of Nations history.
Sixteen matches. Six editions. Five draws. Ten losses. And finally, a win.
"This victory is important to us because it gives us a chance to qualify for the next round," said Benin coach Gernot Rohr. "We proved today that we have progressed defensively. I am happy for Yohan Roche who laughed at his mistake in the first match and who has just been elected Man of the Match."
Botswana coach Morena Ramoreboli admitted frustration: "In the first 45 minutes, we got one opportunity which we should have buried and, unfortunately, from that very same opportunity, we conceded."
With zero points from two matches, Botswana are mathematically eliminated before their final group game against DR Congo. For Benin, facing Senegal on Tuesday, survival remains possible.
What's coming today: Group E and F heat up
Sunday's fixtures feature four massive matches across Groups E and F. This is where the tournament could start to take shape.
Gabon vs Mozambique (Group F, 12:30 GMT - Agadir)
Both teams lost their openers 1-0—Gabon to Cameroon, Mozambique to Ivory Coast. This is essentially an elimination match. Neither can afford another defeat if they want any chance of progressing, even as a best third-placed team. Expect desperation.
Equatorial Guinea vs Sudan (Group E, 3:00 PM GMT - Casablanca)
Another do-or-die fixture. Equatorial Guinea blew a lead to lose 2-1 to Burkina Faso. Sudan were dismantled 3-0 by Algeria and played most of that match with ten men. Someone gets their first point—or both leave Morocco early.
Algeria vs Burkina Faso (Group E, 5:30 PM GMT - Rabat)
The Group E headliner. Riyad Mahrez scored twice in Algeria's 3-0 win over Sudan—he's now the Desert Foxes' all-time AFCON top scorer with seven goals. Algeria have been unbeaten in 11 matches. But Burkina Faso are unbeaten in seven, and their late comeback against Equatorial Guinea showed they have steel.
These teams drew 2-2 at AFCON 2023. Their last three meetings have all ended level. A winner today essentially secures top spot in Group E.
Ivory Coast vs Cameroon (Group F, 8:00 PM GMT - Marrakech)
The match of the round. Defending champions vs five-time winners. Amad Diallo scored Ivory Coast's opener against Mozambique; Bryan Mbeumo set up Karl Etta Eyong's winner against Gabon. The winner is almost certainly through. A draw suits both.
Ivory Coast are trying to become the first nation since Egypt in 2010 to defend an AFCON title. Cameroon, under new coach David Pagou, showed impressive discipline against Gabon despite off-field turbulence. Cameroon may be without Carlos Baleba, who limped off against Gabon with a hamstring issue.
The head-to-head: 21 meetings, Ivory Coast lead with 10 wins, two draws, nine defeats. But recent history favors the Elephants—unbeaten in five against the Indomitable Lions.
The bigger picture
After seven days, the tournament is taking shape:
- Egypt (6 pts) and Nigeria (6 pts) are through to the Round of 16
- Morocco (4 pts), Senegal (4 pts), and DR Congo (4 pts) are in strong positions
- Tunisia (3 pts), Algeria (3 pts), Burkina Faso (3 pts), Ivory Coast (3 pts), and Cameroon (3 pts) all remain in contention
- Botswana (0 pts) are eliminated
The next 48 hours will be decisive for Groups A, E, and F. By Tuesday night, we'll know who's staying and who's going home.
One week in, AFCON 2025 is delivering. The question is whether the favorites can survive the chaos—or whether Morocco is about to produce the kind of upsets this tournament is famous for.