AFCON 2025 Day 3 Wrap: Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia assert big gun status with statement wins

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AFCON 2025 Day 3 Wrap: Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia assert big gun status with statement wins

Day 3 of AFCON 2025 delivered drama as Nigeria showed resilience with a win over Tanzania, Senegal and Tunisia flexed their muscle in a commanding victory against Botswana and Uganda respectively.

Meanwhile DR Congo quietly announced themselves as serious dark horses after edging Benin.

From big guns proving their pedigree to underdogs making a statement, the tournament narrative is heating up in Morocco.

Achouri Double Fires Tunisia Past Uganda

Tunisia began their AFCON 2025 campaign in style with a 3-1 win over Uganda in heavy rain at the Rabat Olympic Stadium. Ellyes Skhiri opened the scoring after 10 minutes before Elias Achouri struck twice, one before halftime and another just after the hour mark, to put the Carthage Eagles in control.

Uganda grabbed a late consolation through Denis Omedi, whose deflected effort beat Yan Valery in stoppage time.

The victory puts Tunisia top of Group C on goal difference ahead of Nigeria, who beat Tanzania 2-1 earlier in Fes. Next up is a decisive clash between Tunisia and Nigeria on Saturday, while Uganda face Tanzania in Rabat.

Super Eagles Show Resilience

Nigeria and Tanzania met for only the second time at the Africa Cup of Nations, 45 years after their first clash in 1980, which Nigeria won 3–1. This time, the Super Eagles struck first in the 36th minute when Semi Ajayi converted from close range after a clever assist by Alex Iwobi. It was a landmark moment for Ajayi, who scored only his second goal in 41 appearances for Nigeria.

Tanzania responded early in the second half through Charles M’Mombwa, leveling the score at 1–1 in the 50th minute. But Nigeria hit back almost immediately. Ademola Lookman restored the lead with a crisp finish from outside the box in the 52nd minute, sealing a hard-fought victory for the West Africans.

Nigeria’s scoring streak continues, they have now found the net in eight consecutive AFCON matches, including their last seven group-stage games. Tanzania, meanwhile, conceded their fourth AFCON goal against Nigeria, having shipped three in their historic 1980 meeting.

This comeback win reinforces Nigeria’s status as one of the tournament’s big guns.

Senegal Turn Up the Heat

For 40 minutes, Goitseone Phoko was the hero Botswana needed. The goalkeeper produced a string of spectacular saves, twice denying Nicolas Jackson, twice thwarting Sadio Mané, and even keeping out Iliman Ndiaye, as Senegal launched wave after wave of attacks from the opening whistle.

But dominance eventually told. Senegal resumed their relentless pressure after the break, and Jackson finally doubled his tally in the 58th minute, calmly finishing off an Ismaïla Sarr assist. At the stroke of full time, substitute Cherif Ndiaye, who replaced Jackson in the 78th minute, sealed the deal with a sweeping finish from Cheikh Sabaly’s cross.

Final score: Senegal 3–0 Botswana. Job done. Statement made.

REACTION – Nicolas Jackson (Senegal, Man of the Match)

“I’m very happy to start on this note with two goals. Hopefully, it’s the beginning of many more. Most importantly, we won and played well. It’s an important victory, but now it’s behind us—we focus on the next game.”

DR Congo Edge Benin in a Tactical Battle

Score: DR Congo 1–0 Benin
Goalscorer: Théo Bongonda (16’)

Théo Bongonda’s first-half strike gave DR Congo a winning start to their AFCON 2025 campaign, edging Benin 1-0 at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat. The Leopards, buoyed by confidence from their World Cup playoff qualification, asserted themselves early and were rewarded when Bongonda capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot past Saturnin Allagbé.

DR Congo continued to press, with Cédric Bakambu forcing a big save and seeing another effort ruled out for offside. Benin, missing five suspended starters, fought back through counters and set-pieces but lacked the cutting edge to break down a disciplined Congolese defense.

REACTION – Théo Bongonda (DR Congo, Man of the Match)

“It was a difficult match. No team wins easily at AFCON. We scored one goal, took three points—that’s what matters. We’ll keep moving forward and go as far as possible.”

REACTION – Gernot Rohr (Benin Coach)

“It was a very good match that didn’t deserve a loser. My team made me proud. It was our first time with this system. We’ll prepare well for Botswana, and having our suspended players back will help.”

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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