The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 reaches another decisive juncture on Tuesday as Groups C and D conclude with four matches played simultaneously. While Nigeria have already secured their knockout berth, the remaining spots in both groups remain fiercely contested.
Group C: Nigeria already through, three teams fight for survival
Group C standings before Matchday 9:
- 1. Nigeria – 6 pts (qualified)
- 2. Tunisia – 3 pts
- 3. Tanzania – 1 pt
- 4. Uganda – 1 pt
Uganda vs Nigeria – 16:00 GMT | Fez Stadium
The Super Eagles arrive in Fez with their place in the Round of 16 already assured after back-to-back victories over Tanzania (2-1) and Tunisia (3-2). Coach Eric Chelle may opt to rotate his squad, giving minutes to players like Chidera Ejuke, Moses Simon and Paul Onuachu.
Uganda, by contrast, need a result after a 3-1 opening defeat to Tunisia and a frustrating 1-1 draw against Tanzania, where Allan Okello missed a stoppage-time penalty. Despite being ranked 47 places below Nigeria, the Cranes hold a favourable historical record against the West Africans, winning four of their eight previous meetings.
Key stat: Nigeria have won seven of their last nine AFCON group-stage encounters. Their last AFCON face-off with Uganda came in 2007, when the Cranes won 2-1.
Players to watch: Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen have both found the net for Nigeria, while Uganda's Uche Ikpeazu—born to Ugandan and Nigerian parents—came off the bench to score against Tanzania and will push for a starting berth in this emotionally significant fixture.
Tanzania vs Tunisia – 16:00 GMT | Stade Olympique Annexe, Rabat
This is where Group C's real drama unfolds. Tunisia know a draw will be enough to secure qualification, while Tanzania must win to have any chance of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their history.
Tunisia opened impressively with a 3-1 victory over Uganda but were exposed against Nigeria, trailing 3-0 before mounting a late rally in a 3-2 defeat. Coach Sami Trabelsi acknowledged the flaws: "Losing always exposes flaws. The tournament is still long. This match is important, and we need to come away with the points." (Source: SportPesa Blog)
Tanzania's campaign has produced historic moments despite modest returns. Simon Msuva's goal against Uganda made him the first Tanzanian player to score at three different AFCON tournaments, and the Taifa Stars have scored in their opening two matches for the first time since 1980.
Coach Miguel Gamondi reflected on their draw with Uganda: "We are a little disappointed that we did not win. We created chances, dominated and were dangerous. We feel sorry for all the Tanzanian people that we did not win, but we continue working hard." (Source: African Football)
Key stat: Tunisia have scored in five consecutive games across all competitions. Tanzania are winless in nine matches but still control their destiny.
Group D: Three teams locked in battle for two spots
Group D standings before Matchday 9:
- 1. Senegal – 4 pts
- 2. DR Congo – 4 pts
- 3. Benin – 3 pts
- 4. Botswana – 0 pts (eliminated)
Benin vs Senegal – 19:00 GMT | Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier
The headline fixture of the evening pits 2021 champions Senegal against a Benin side riding the wave of their first-ever AFCON victory.
Benin's 1-0 win over Botswana on December 27 ended a run of 16 matches without victory at the competition since their debut in 2004. Coach Gernot Rohr was understandably delighted: "It's a historic victory because Benin had never won a match in the Africa Cup of Nations in their four appearances. It gives us hope of getting out of this tough group." (Source: African Football)
However, striker Steve Mounié acknowledged the physical toll: "It was a very intense match, and we took quite a few hits. We are trying to recover as much as possible." (Source: beIN Sports)
Senegal arrive having dropped points against DR Congo (1-1), with Sadio Mané rescuing a draw after Cédric Bakambu had capitalised on Edouard Mendy's error. The 2021 champions boast formidable depth—Nicolas Jackson, Kalidou Koulibaly, Idrissa Gueye—and have lost just once in their last 14 internationals.
Key stat: Benin have beaten Senegal just once—in their first-ever meeting in 1961. Since then, Senegal have won seven of nine encounters.
Botswana vs DR Congo – 19:00 GMT | Stade El Barid, Rabat
Botswana's tournament ends with a fixture against opponents they have never beaten in open play, having failed to score in five previous meetings with the Leopards.
DR Congo, labelled dark horses before the competition, have justified that billing with a composed 1-0 win over Benin (Theo Bongonda scoring) and an impressive 1-1 draw against Senegal. Coach Sébastien Desabre's side have conceded just one goal in two matches and could finish top of Group D with victory combined with a Senegal slip-up.
The Leopards possess genuine quality across the pitch: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba and Axel Tuanzebe anchor the defence, while Cédric Bakambu—now on 21 international goals—sits one strike away from tying Dieumerci Mbokani's all-time record.
For Botswana, the focus shifts to pride. Goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko made 14 saves against Senegal—the most by any keeper at AFCON since at least 2010—but heroics alone cannot paper over fundamental quality gaps. Defender Mosha Gaolaolwe, approaching 100 caps, may be playing his final AFCON match.
Key stat: Botswana have failed to score in four of their last five competitive fixtures. DR Congo have opened the scoring in eight of their last nine internationals.
What's at stake
The permutations are deliciously complex:
- Group C: Tunisia advance with a draw. Tanzania advance with victory. Uganda need to beat Nigeria and hope Tanzania lose.
- Group D: Both Senegal and DR Congo advance with draws. Benin advance with victory, or potentially as a best third-placed team with a draw depending on other results.
With six teams fighting for four knockout spots across Tuesday's four matches, AFCON 2025 promises another night of tension, drama, and decisive moments.
Tuesday's fixtures at a glance
16:00 GMT:
- 🇺🇬 Uganda vs Nigeria 🇳🇬 – Fez Stadium
- 🇹🇿 Tanzania vs Tunisia 🇹🇳 – Stade Olympique Annexe, Rabat
19:00 GMT:
- 🇧🇯 Benin vs Senegal 🇸🇳 – Ibn Batouta Stadium, Tangier
- 🇧🇼 Botswana vs DR Congo 🇨🇩 – Stade El Barid, Rabat