Read on France 24AFCON 2025: Nigeria Edges Tunisia in Thriller as Benin Makes History
The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 delivered a day of high drama and historic moments across Morocco. Nigeria's Super Eagles secured a vital 3-2 victory over Tunisia in a pulsating Group C encounter, while Benin celebrated a landmark first-ever AFCON win against Botswana. Meanwhile, the much-anticipated clash between Senegal and DR Congo ended in a stalemate, and Uganda and Tanzania also shared the points. This round of matches proved decisive as teams jockeyed for position in the knockout stages.
The group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 intensified with a packed schedule of four crucial matches. As teams in Groups C and D took to the pitch across Morocco, the objective was clear: secure passage to the knockout rounds. The day's action delivered a mix of historic firsts, tactical battles, and a spectacular goal-fest, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the group phase.
Group C: Super Eagles Soar in High-Scoring Affair
The headline fixture of the day pitted Nigeria's Super Eagles against Tunisia's Eagles of Carthage in a direct contest for supremacy in Group C. According to match reports, Nigeria established early dominance, controlling the first half with authority. Their relentless pressure paid off, building a commanding lead by halftime. However, the Tunisian side demonstrated remarkable resilience after the break, mounting a fierce comeback to challenge the Nigerian defense.
The match culminated in a 3-2 victory for Nigeria, a result that significantly bolstered their position at the top of the group standings. This hard-fought win underscored the competitive nature of the tournament and Nigeria's credentials as a serious contender. The other Group C fixture saw Uganda and Tanzania play to a draw, leaving the group's final qualification spots finely balanced heading into the final matchday.
Group D: Benin Makes History, Big Cats Stalemated
Group D witnessed a moment of national sporting history. Benin secured their first-ever victory in an Africa Cup of Nations tournament, defeating Botswana by a narrow 1-0 margin. This landmark achievement marks a significant milestone for Beninese football, providing a memorable highlight for their campaign and their supporters.
In the other marquee match of the group, the highly anticipated "battle of the big cats" between Senegal's Lions of Teranga and the Democratic Republic of Congo's Leopards ended in a goalless draw. The tactical encounter, as reported by France 24, resulted in a gridlock, with neither side able to find a breakthrough. This result keeps the group tightly contested, with all outcomes still possible for the knockout stage berths.
Implications for the Knockout Stages
The day's results have created intriguing scenarios for the final round of group matches. Nigeria has positioned itself strongly to win Group C, while the race for second place remains wide open. In Group D, the historic win for Benin throws the group into further complexity, with Senegal and DR Congo now under pressure to secure positive results in their final games to guarantee progression. The intensity and unpredictability displayed confirm the Africa Cup of Nations as one of football's most compelling tournaments.
As the group stage nears its conclusion, the focus shifts to the final matches where dreams of continental glory will be realized or dashed. The performances seen in this round—from Nigeria's attacking prowess to Benin's historic resilience—promise an electrifying knockout phase ahead.
