AFCON (Prime Africa) – Feisal Salum’s crucial second-half goal for Tanzania canceled out Ismaël Gharbi’s first-half penalty for Tunisia, propelling the Taifa Stars into the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams across the six groups.
Angola, who finished third in Group B, were left heartbroken. They had pinned their hopes on a Tunisian victory over Tanzania, alongside Nigeria defeating Uganda — a result that did materialize with the Super Eagles winning 3-1. However, Tanzania’s equalizer proved decisive.
Both Tanzania and Angola ended the group stage with two points and a goal difference of minus one. Salum’s strike ensured Tanzania finished with three goals scored, one more than Angola’s two, a narrow margin that ultimately separated qualification from elimination.
“I hope this will be a reminder to these players and the next generation of players about the potential of Tanzanian football,” Taifa Stars coach Miguel Gamondi said after the match.
Tunisia progressed as runners-up in Group C, though the result did little to ease pressure from frustrated supporters. Despite braving heavy rain in Rabat, fans voiced their displeasure with whistles at full time.
“We may not have played the best way possible, but we are very happy to have qualified,” Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi said.
The match itself was played with urgency from the outset. Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles poured forward, with Gharbi striking the left post and attempting an audacious effort from near the halfway line as tackles flew in from both sides.
Tunisia were awarded a penalty late in the first half after a VAR review ruled that Ibrahim Hamad had pulled back Hazem Mastouri. Gharbi calmly converted in the 43rd minute. Tanzania responded after the break, Salum firing a low shot that skimmed across the wet turf and nestled inside the left post.
In the other decisive Group B match, Nigeria defeated Uganda 3-1 in a game that saw the Cranes use three different goalkeepers.
With top spot already secured, Nigeria coach Eric Chelle rested several regular starters, including Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi and Bright Osayi-Samuel, though Victor Osimhen led the line from the start.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru delivered a cross for Paul Onuachu to score with a straightforward finish in the 28th minute. Uganda’s already slim hopes were further damaged early in the second half when first-choice goalkeeper Denis Onyango failed to return after the break.
His replacement, Salim Magoola, was sent off in the 50th minute for handling the ball outside the penalty area while attempting to stop Osimhen. Third-choice goalkeeper Nafian Alionzi was soon beaten, conceding in the 62nd minute when Raphael Onyedika fired the ball between his legs for 2-0, before Onyedika added another goal five minutes later.
Uganda managed a consolation in the 75th minute when Rogers Mato produced a fine chipped finish over Nigerian goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.
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