Osimhen and Mane Shine as Nigeria and Senegal Advance in AFCON Knockout Race
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is heating up as two of the continent’s footballing giants, Nigeria and Senegal, secured crucial results to move closer to qualification for the knockout stages. Nigeria’s Super Eagles, powered by a stellar performance from Victor Osimhen, booked their place in the last 16, while Sadio Mané’s late heroics helped Senegal edge towards joining them.
Nigeria Secures Last-16 Spot with Thrilling Victory
Nigeria, a three-time AFCON champion, clinched their spot in the knockout rounds with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Tunisia. Star striker Victor Osimhen, who has been a constant threat throughout the tournament, opened the scoring for the Super Eagles just before halftime. The Nigerian side then extended their lead to a comfortable three goals, but had to withstand a late surge from the Tunisians, who managed to net twice in the closing stages to set up a tense finish.
Osimhen’s goal marked his second of the AFCON tournament and his first since the opening round of the 2024 competition, underscoring his importance to the Nigerian attack. After a somewhat scrappy opening win against Tanzania, Nigeria’s performance showed significant improvement. However, they did lose some momentum in the latter stages of the match, with Tunisia twice coming close to finding an equalizer during added time.
The other Nigerian goals came from captain Wilfred Ndidi, who scored his first goal for the national team, and Ademola Lookman. Tunisia responded through Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi, ensuring a dramatic climax to the encounter.
With this victory, Nigeria now sits at the top of Group C with six points. Tunisia remains on three points, while Tanzania and Uganda each have one point going into the final round of group matches.
Uganda and Tanzania Share the Spoils
In another Group C fixture, Uganda and Tanzania played out a 1-1 draw. Allan Okello of Uganda missed a late penalty, which ultimately denied his side a victory. Uche Ikpeazu had scored a late equalizer for Uganda, much to the delight of the 10,540 fans in attendance at Al Medina Stadium in Rabat.
Tanzania, who had been winless in their previous 10 AFCON matches across four tournaments, looked set to break their drought when Simon Msuva put them ahead from the penalty spot. However, Ikpeazu’s late intervention ensured that Tanzania’s wait for an AFCON win continues.
Senegal Edges Closer with Stalemate Against DR Congo
In Tangiers, Senegal, led by the influential Sadio Mané, came from behind to secure a crucial 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo. This result keeps both former African champions on track for qualification for the second round.
The Democratic Republic of Congo took the lead just after the hour mark through Cedric Bakambu. However, Al Nassr forward Mané quickly responded, netting his goal and ensuring Senegal maintains their position at the top of the group on goal difference with one round of matches remaining.
Coaches Reflect on Performance
Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, expressed some frustration with his team’s inability to “kill the game” in the first half, despite creating numerous opportunities. He did, however, praise his players’ reaction after conceding and emphasized the need to learn how to close out matches more effectively in the future. “We will continue to work on converting our chances into goals,” he stated.
DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre was more satisfied with his team’s performance, believing they played the match needed to compete against one of Africa’s top teams. He commended his players for staying united throughout the game, both offensively and defensively. “I am satisfied that this is what they did,” Desabre commented.
Benin Secures Historic AFCON Win
In Group D, Benin achieved a historic 1-0 victory against Botswana in Rabat, moving them into a strong position behind Senegal and DR Congo. Defender Yohan Roche scored the decisive goal in the 28th minute, securing Benin’s first AFCON win after a long wait. This victory marks a significant milestone for Benin, who had previously recorded five draws and 10 losses in their five AFCON appearances since their debut in 2004.
DR Congo’s World Cup Aspirations
The match between Senegal and DR Congo also held significance for World Cup qualification. DR Congo was seeking revenge for a dramatic defeat against Senegal in their last meeting during World Cup qualifying in September. Senegal had come from 2-0 down to win that encounter 3-2, a result that ultimately saw them top their group and secure a place in the upcoming World Cup finals.
While DR Congo had to settle for second place in their qualifying group, they still have an opportunity to make it to the World Cup by winning a one-off play-off match against either New Caledonia or Jamaica in Mexico in March.
Match Details: Senegal vs. DR Congo
Senegal, fresh from a dominant 3-0 win over Botswana and considered a strong contender for the AFCON title, enjoyed more possession and created more chances against DR Congo. However, it was the Leopards who drew first blood.
- DR Congo’s Opener: In the 61st minute, Theo Bongonda, who also scored DR Congo’s only goal in their opening win against Benin, had a shot parried by Senegalese goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. Real Betis striker Bakambu was quick to pounce on the rebound and convert the loose ball, giving his side the lead.
- Senegal’s Equaliser: Senegal’s response was swift. Just eight minutes later, a superb run by teenage substitute Ibrahim Mbaye led to the equalizer. The 17-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger, who recently committed his international future to Senegal, made a penetrating run down the right flank. He burst past Arthur Masuaku, who appeared to injure himself during the tackle, and then saw his shot blocked by Lionel Mpasi. Sadio Mané was perfectly positioned to score his 10th AFCON goal, securing the vital draw for Senegal.
