Under persistent rain at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Tunisia delivered a statement performance to open their AFCON 2025 campaign. A commanding 3-1 victory over Uganda saw the Carthage Eagles claim top spot in Group C and write another chapter in their continental history.
Skhiri's historic opener sets the tone
The breakthrough arrived in the 10th minute, and it carried historical significance. Ellyes Skhiri rose highest to meet a Hannibal Mejbri corner, planting a powerful header beyond goalkeeper Salim Magoola. The Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder's goal was more than just an early advantage—it was Tunisia's 100th goal in AFCON history, making them only the sixth nation to reach the century mark in the competition.
From that moment, Tunisia controlled proceedings. Their pressing game suffocated Uganda's attempts to build from the back, while the midfield axis of Skhiri and Ferjani Sassi dictated tempo with calm authority.
Achouri emerges as tournament star
Copenhagen winger Elias Achouri announced himself on the continental stage with a brace that effectively ended the contest. His first came just before half-time, a composed finish from an Ali Abdi cross that showcased his clinical instincts inside the box.
The second arrived in the 64th minute following a goalkeeping error. Magoola could only parry an Abdi shot, and Achouri pounced on the loose ball to record the first brace of AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
Speaking after the match, Achouri dedicated his performance to Tunisia's travelling supporters who braved the elements in Rabat. "Thank you to my teammates first of all for the great work they put in helping us get the victory. I also want to extend a big thank you to the supporters who came out in their numbers in this rain. We hope we made them proud."
Uganda's late consolation cannot mask defensive frailties
Denis Omedi's stoppage-time goal offered Uganda minor consolation, but it could not disguise a performance that left coach Paul Put frustrated. The Belgian tactician was candid in his post-match assessment, admitting his side showed their opponents too much respect.
"We showed them too much respect, we know they are good at set pieces. This is a bad start. I think we were not aggressive enough. If you play AFCON, you need to win the duels," Put told reporters. "We only had about 25 minutes of the game but the rest, we were on the backfoot which is not enough for a competition like the Africa Cup of Nations."
Uganda's preparations had been disrupted by reports of unpaid allowances, with players allegedly boycotting training sessions in the build-up to the tournament. Whether that affected their sharpness against Tunisia remains a matter of speculation, but their lack of cutting edge was evident throughout.
Trabelsi's quiet satisfaction
For Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi, the victory represented vindication after a disappointing early exit from the Arab Cup in Qatar. He praised both his players and the tournament organisers for maintaining excellent pitch conditions despite the torrential rain.
"We have other players who performed better than expected. The whole team is very effective and hoping to have the entire squad fit for all our matches. Our goal is to improve with each match as we gain momentum," Trabelsi explained.
The coach has history against Uganda. As a player, Trabelsi featured in Tunisia's emphatic 6-0 victory during 2000 AFCON qualifying—a reminder of the Carthage Eagles' complete dominance in this fixture across the decades.
The moment that captured hearts
Before kick-off, Tunisia's players made headlines for reasons beyond football. In a spontaneous gesture that resonated across social media, the squad removed their warm-up jackets and placed them on the children accompanying them onto the pitch, protecting them from the cold and rain. It was a touching moment that embodied the spirit of African football and drew widespread praise.
Mejbri's leadership comes of age
At just 22 years old, Hannibal Mejbri has evolved into one of Tunisia's most influential figures. The Burnley midfielder, who chose Tunisia over France at youth level, has now accumulated 39 international caps and carries himself with the authority of a veteran.
Before the tournament, Mejbri spoke about his commitment to the Tunisian cause. "My heart leaned towards Tunisia. You don't choose a national team by default, making a country wait to see if things will work out with France," he told Le Parisien. His corner delivery for Skhiri's opener demonstrated his quality, while his industry in midfield helped Tunisia maintain control throughout.
What this means for Group C
Tunisia's victory sees them top the group on goal difference ahead of Nigeria, who edged Tanzania 2-1 earlier in the day. The two North African and West African heavyweights will meet on December 27 in Fès in what promises to be a decisive encounter.
For Uganda, the mathematics are now unforgiving. Paul Put acknowledged his side must beat Tanzania in their next fixture to have any realistic chance of progression. "A draw will not be enough. You now need to win your next game to be in a position to finish second or third. I do believe that we can bounce back."
Match details
Tunisia: Dahmen; Valery, Talbi, Bronn, Abdi; Sassi, Skhiri; Tounekti (Mohamed 71'), Mejbri, Saad (Achouri 45'); Mastouri
Uganda: Magoola; Sibbick, Torach, Kayondo, Obita; Aucho (c), Semakula; Lorenzen, Okello (Mutyaba 45'), Mato (Omedi 45'); Mukwala
Goals: Skhiri 10', Achouri 40', 64'; Omedi 90+2'
Referee: Patrice Tanguy Mebiame (Gabon)