Senegal avoided a shock elimination from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, after they came from behind to beat Sudan 3-1 in their Round of 16 fixture on Saturday evening.
The Teranga Lions were behind as early as the sixth minute after Aamir Abdallah Yunis curled in the opening goal.
But they went into the break in front, thanks to two goals from Papa Gueye in the 29th and 45th minutes of play.
In the second half, Ibrahim Mbaye added a third as Senegal progressed into the next round.
They will now take on the winner of the Tunisia vs Mali last-16 clash for a place in the semi-final. (DailyPost)
Raphael Onyedika has scored twice, and Paul Onuachu has netted his first international goal in four years as already-qualified Nigeria overcame 10-man Uganda 3-1 to maintain a 100 percent record after the group stage and send the East African side home.
Nigeria finished top of Group C on Tuesday with nine points, followed by Tunisia in second with four and Tanzania, who reached the round of 16 as one of the four best third-placed sides after their 1-1 draw with Tunisia, also on Tuesday.
It was a dominant performance from Nigeria despite resting several regulars, having already been assured of the top spot in the group.
After Onuachu missed a simple chance midway through the first half, he found the back of the net after 28 minutes.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru showed quick feet on the left, and his pass in to Onuachu was perfect for the big forward to finish. The goal was the striker’s first for Nigeria since 2021.
Uganda were reduced to 10 men in the 56th minute when substitute goalkeeper Salim Jamal Magoola used his hands about 9 metres (10 yards) outside his area to stop a Victor Osimhen shot.
Magoola had been a halftime replacement for injured starter Denis Onyango, so Uganda had to use their third goalkeeper in the game as Nafian Alionzi was brought on for midfielder Baba Alhassan.
Nigeria scored their second goal in the 62nd minute when Onyedika took Samuel Chukwueze’s pass and drilled his shot low through the legs of Alionzi.
Onyedika netted his second five minutes later with a side-footed finish, Chukwueze again the provider with a pass from the right.
Uganda got a consolation goal with 15 minutes left as the Nigerian defence momentarily went to sleep and Rogers Mato had time and space from Allan Okello’s pass to lift the ball over the keeper and into the net.
Nevertheless, Nigeria have impressed in the group stage, having been losing finalists two years ago and following the shock of missing out on 2026 World Cup qualification.
Meanwhile, Tanzania reached the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, 45 years after their maiden appearance, by coming from behind to draw 1-1 with fellow qualifiers Tunisia in Rabat.
Feisal Salum’s powerful shot three minutes into the second half was enough to secure the draw after Tunisia had been ahead with a 43rd-minute penalty converted by Ismael Gharbi.
It was only Tanzania’s second point of the tournament but proved enough for them to advance as one of the four best third-placed finishers.
Tanzania have been trying since 1980 to advance beyond the group stage and have still to win a match in four appearances. (AlJazeera)
Victor Osimhen starred as Nigeria became the second qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage after Egypt by surviving a late Tunisia onslaught to win 3-2 in Fes.
The Super Eagles were cruising to victory on Saturday, leading 3-0 through goals from Osimhen, captain Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
But Tunisia refused to surrender in the top-of-the-table Group C clash, and Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi scored to set up a tense finish.
Tunisia had two chances to level during seven minutes of added time, but a header from captain Ferjani Sassi and a shot by substitute Ismael Gharbi were just off target.
Nigeria have six points, Tunisia three, and Tanzania and Uganda one each, with the final round of group matches set for Tuesday.
The showdown was the seventh time the Super Eagles and the Carthage Eagles had faced each other at an AFCON.
Nigeria won three times, and Tunisia once. Another two meetings went to penalty shootouts, with each nation winning one.
After performing well below par when edging Tanzania in the opening round, Nigeria were a transformed team against Tunisia, dominating the first 30 minutes in the northern city.
Osimhen was outstanding, particularly in aerial duels, while Tunisia were forced to constantly defend against the three-time champions.
The Galatasaray striker, wearing his trademark mask, headed just over after nine minutes, and came close again soon after as he rose to meet a corner kick.
Osimhen had the ball in the net after 17 minutes, but was rightly ruled offside. Big-screen replays showed the 2023 African player of the year timing his run too early.
Tunisia midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was lucky to escape a yellow card for dissent after reacting angrily when a Nigerian took a foul throw, flinging the ball into the ground.
Osimhen was wide with another headed goal attempt, then left the pitch temporarily so that the medical staff could apply a spray to his leg.
Tunisia finally broke out of a defensive shell on 32 minutes and forced a corner. The set-piece ended with the ball coming back to Abdi, whose shot flew well over.
Several Tunisian raids reaped no reward, and on 44 minutes, the goalless deadlock was broken, with Osimhen, predictably, the scorer.
The goal involved two former African players of the year, with 2024 winner Lookman crossing the ball and Osimhen rising between Abdi and Talbi to head powerfully into the net.
Just five minutes into the second half, Nigeria stretched their lead to two goals, as they once again exposed the aerial weaknesses of the Tunisian defence.
Atalanta striker Lookman was the architect again, floating a corner into the heart of the goalmouth, where Ndidi soared to beat goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen and score his first international goal.
After creating the first two goals, Lookman scored the third on 67 minutes, after being set up by Osimhen. He had time to control the ball in the box before slamming it into the net off the post.
Tunisia pulled one goal back with 16 minutes remaining. The North Africans finally got the better of an aerial duel, and Talbi nodded a Mejbri free-kick into the net. (AlJazeera)
Nigeria set up a quarter-final showdown with Zambia at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a 0-0 draw with Algeria secured the Super Falcons top spot in Group B.
The result in Casablanca also meant the North Africans progressed to the last eight, where they will face the second-placed finisher in Group C.
Elsewhere, Botswana came from behind to beat Tunisia 2-1 and boost their chances of going through as one of the two best-ranked third-placed sides.
Yesmin Khanchouch’s 12th-minute effort put the Carthage Eagles ahead before Lesego Radiakanyo equalised midway through the second half.
Both teams would have been eliminated by a 1-1 draw and it was Botswana who grabbed a dramatic winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time through Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse.
Sunday’s results mean defending champions South Africa and Mali are both assured of a place in the quarter-finals before Group C culminates on Monday (19:00 GMT).
Banyana Banyana face the West Africans in Oujda, while Ghana take on Tanzania in Berkane with both of those sides needing to win to progress.
Nigeria are chasing a record-extending 10th Wafcon title and topped Group B on seven points without conceding a goal.
Yet, as the West Africans turn their attention to their meeting with Zambia on Friday, questions will be raised about their attacking sharpness.
Super Falcons dominated possession against Algeria and created far more chances than their opponents, but were frustrated by a compact and resilient defence which was content to soak up pressure.
Rasheedat Ajibade and Jennifer Echegini offered the most threat from wide areas and midfield runs. Clear-cut chances were rare, and when they came Nigeria could not convert.
The match ended with Nigeria pressing for a late winner, with Echegini sending a curling effort just wide in the 89th minute.
For Algeria, the draw marked a milestone performance as they reach the knockout stages at a Wafcon finals for the first time.
Their progress has been built on a solid defence, having also progressed without conceding a goal.
Ghoutia Karchouni’s winner against Botswana was their only goal of the group stage but has proved enough to extend their stay in Morocco until their quarter-final tie next Saturday. (BBC)
Nigeria kicked off their quest for a record-extending tenth WAFCON title with a commanding 3-0 victory over Tunisia on Sunday evening at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Goals from Asisat Oshoala, Rinsola Babajide and Chinwendu Ihezuo underlined the gulf in quality between the two sides in their Group B opener and extended Nigeria’s dominance over North African opposition at the continental showpiece.
The Super Falcons came into the game on the back of a patchy record in recent WAFCON openers, having lost their first matches in both the 2018 and 2022 editions to South Africa.
However, they wasted no time putting any nerves to rest. Just four minutes into the encounter, Nigeria struck with their first real chance. After Rinsola Babajide was brought down on the left, she got up to deliver the resulting free-kick which found Oshoala in the box.
The former Nigerian captain directed a well-timed header in the midst of Tunisians into the centre of the goal for her 14th career goal at the WAFCON.
Nigeria’s second goal came at the end of a lengthy first-half stoppage period. After a VAR check for offside, Babajide’s well-taken left-footed effort in the 46th minute was confirmed, making it 2-0.
Coach Justine Madugu made three half-time changes, perhaps with an eye on managing player fitness for the rest of the group stage. Oshoala, Babajide and Abiodun made way for Chinwendu Ihezuo, Esther Okoronkwo and Christy Ucheibe.
The new entrants made an instant impact. Ihezuo’s energy pinned Tunisia’s defenders deeper, while Okoronkwo offered direct runs and link-up play, striking the post in the 81st minute before assisting the final goal.
The third goal arrived in the 84th minute. Okoronkwo received Plumptre’s cross in the box after already playing her on from the middle and her flicked header perfectly met Ihezuo’s position in front of goal, whose left-footed shot settled low in the far corner to seal the result.
Tunisia’s best opportunity came in stoppage time when Salma Zemzem rattled the crossbar from a distance, a rare moment of danger for Nigeria.
The Carthage Eagles have now gone five consecutive WAFCON matches without scoring, stretching over 460 minutes, and remain without a goal against Nigeria in the competition’s history.
The win sets Nigeria atop Group B heading into their next match against Botswana, while Tunisia will be looking to bounce back against Algeria. (Punch)
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