Elias Achouri’s brace helped the Carthage Eagles defeat Uganda 3-1 in Rabat on Tuesday night, thus shattering a long-standing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opening-day curse.
The North Africans’ 12-year losing streak at the AFCON finals came to an abrupt end in their opening Group C encounter at the 2025 competition.
Ellyes Skhiri took the lead after just ten minutes, setting the tone early. Tunisia’s aggressive ambition was demonstrated when Achouri increased the lead prior to halftime and came back to complete the task just after the hour. Denis Omedi gave Uganda a comeback late in stoppage time, but the match had already been lost.
Uganda struggled to match Tunisia’s cutting edge in the latter third, despite having a little more of the ball. Tanzania is in third place while Uganda is at the bottom of Group C, with Tunisia leading Nigeria on goal differential as a result of the outcome.
Nigeria defeated Tanzania 2-1 in their own Group C match after being forced to work harder than anticipated in Fes. For the majority of the first half, the Super Eagles were in control. Victor Osimhen was stunningly denied, while Akor Adams hit the woodwork.
Alex Iwobi’s tempting cross from a corner was scored by Semi Ajayi in the 36th minute, marking the breakthrough. Charles M’Mombwa’s equalizer early in the second half gave Tanzania a little reprieve from Nigerian backing, but the reaction was quick. Ademola Lookman gave Nigeria the lead again in just 108 seconds with a powerful left-footed finish following another assist from Iwobi.
Tanzania threatened a second equalizer, but Ibrahim Hamad’s squandered opportunity and critical interventions by Calvin Bassey allowed Nigeria to hold fast. With the victory, the Super Eagles are in a strong position to face Tunisia in an exciting match.
At the Grand Stade de Tanger, Senegal easily defeated Botswana 3-0 in Group D action to demonstrate their abilities. The previous champions were ahead thanks to goals from Nicolas Jackson in either half and a late third from Cherif Ndiaye, a substitute.
Jackson was a continual threat, taking the lead following Ismail Jakobs’ cut-back in the 40th minute and doubling it with a cool finish just before the hour. Goitseone Phoko, the goalkeeper for Botswana, made a number of saves to keep the score reasonable while the Bayern Munich striker nearly completed his hat-trick.
DR Congo defeated Benin earlier in the group in a close match characterized by late drama and wasted opportunities. After Benin’s defense faltered and allowed the winger to neatly slot into the corner, Théo Bongonda’s first-half goal proved to be pivotal.
Shortly after the restart, Cedric Bakambu believed he had doubled the lead, but the goal was disallowed by VAR due to offside. Both teams strived for more, with Benin creating multiple late opportunities, but they were unable to secure a regulation-time victory in the finals. With this outcome, DR Congo’s remarkable run on foreign soil reached six straight wins.
As the group-stage action continues, focus now shifts to Wednesday’s games: Algeria will play Sudan, Ivory Coast will play Mozambique, Cameroon will play Gabon, and Burkina Faso will play Equatorial Guinea.
AFCON Matches: Burkina Faso vs. Equatorial Guinea at 1:30 p.m. today, December 24.
Algeria versus Sudan, 4 p.m.
6:30 p.m. Ivory Coast vs. Mozambique.
9 p.m. Cameroon vs. Gabon.
