Tunisia snap AFCON opener curse; Senegal, Nigeria shine

Tunisia finally started AFCON 2025 with a win, beating Uganda 3-1 on December 23 in Rabat to jump atop Group C, hours after Nigeria edged Tanzania 2-1 in Fes. In Group D, Senegal roared into the tournament with a 3-0 victory over Botswana in Tangier, while DR Congo opened with a 1-0 win over Benin.

With Group C already heating up, Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi had warned pre-tournament that “Nigeria remains a continental powerhouse.” Uganda’s Allan Okello Lorenzen also insisted the Cranes won’t be easy prey: “Any team that comes won’t be comfortable playing us.” Tanzania’s minister Palamagamba Kabudi had urged the Taifa Stars to “rewrite history” starting with Nigeria.