Nigeria Faces Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania in AFCON 2025 Group C

Jan 27, 2025

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South Africa is set to face Egypt, led by the iconic Mohamed Salah, while Nigeria, inspired by Ademola Lookman, will take on Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania following the group stage draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Rabat on Monday.

The tournament, featuring 24 teams, will kick off with hosts Morocco taking on the surprise package Comoros on December 21. Defending champions Ivory Coast will square off against five-time winners Cameroon in another eagerly anticipated match.

Sudan, a nation grappling with civil unrest, has drawn Algeria, while a clash between Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo promises to be a highlight of the group stage.

Despite numerous accolades with Liverpool, prolific striker Salah has yet to secure an AFCON title, coming closest as a runner-up in both 2017 and 2022. In Group B, alongside South Africa, Egypt will also face Angola and Zimbabwe.

Nigeria, who finished as runners-up to Ivory Coast last year, boasts an impressive lineup of forwards, including the current African Footballer of the Year, Lookman, and his predecessor, Victor Osimhen. In Group C, Nigeria will face Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Amad Diallo, who recently scored a hat-trick for Manchester United against Southampton, is expected to feature prominently for Ivory Coast, who will also encounter Gabon and Mozambique in Group F.

With home advantage and a squad filled with European-based stars like Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi, Morocco aims to follow in the footsteps of previous AFCON hosts who have lifted the trophy. Only three teams—Tunisia in 2004, Egypt in 2006, and Ivory Coast in 2024—have succeeded in winning the tournament on home soil in the last 13 editions since 2000.

The Ivory Coast remains the only nation to have claimed the championship twice in the past eight tournaments, which began in 1957, when Egypt first emerged victorious in Khartoum. Other champions include Zambia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria, and Senegal.

CAF president Patrick Motsepe, hailing from South Africa, expressed his excitement for the upcoming AFCON in Morocco, stating, “I believe it will be the most successful tournament yet. Ivory Coast set a high standard last year, and we aim to achieve even greater heights.”

Originally scheduled for mid-2025, the tournament was postponed to avoid conflicting with the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Motsepe reassured that the new dates would not hinder the tournament, emphasizing the wealth of talent in African football that will be showcased in Morocco.

Hosting AFCON is seen as a vital step for Morocco in preparation for the 2030 World Cup, which they will co-host with Spain and Portugal. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first World Cup held in Uruguay in 1930, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will each host a match before the tournament transitions to Europe and Africa.

Group Stage Draw: