Tanzania put up a spirited fight as they lost 1-0 to hosts Morocco in the third Group of 16 knock out match at the on-going TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

There was a lot at stake for the hosts infront of their fans, and for Taifa Stars to prove a point going into match at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat on Sunday.

In the earlier half the Atlas Lions failed to find their rythem against a determined Tanzanian side. The hosts thought they had taken the lead through Ismail Saibari, but goal ruled out for off-side after checking the VAR.

The Tanzanain team dominated the first half giving the hosts no space and defending well as a team.

After 55 minutes Faisal Salum had a chance to put Tanzania a goal up, but blasted wide infront of the Moroccan goal.

In the 63^rd minute pure individual brilliance by Brahim Diaz was enough to see him drive into the tight angle and slot the ball past Tanzania’s goalkeeper Hussein Masalanga to send the home fans celebrating.

The home side captained by the back to fitness Achraf Hakimi continued to create many scoring opportunities, but the Tanzania team stood firm.

Morocco joined Senegal and Mali to qualify for the quarter final stage before three other matches in the round of 16 are played.

“The Tanzanian team played very well and deserved to be in the knock out stage. They carried the East African flag well,” a Moroccan fan Hussein Ahmad told Cecafaonline.

Miguel Ángel Gamondi, the Tanzania coach said he was proud of his team and the determination showed on the pitch. They showed that the gap between Morocco and us is not as big as people think,” added Gamondi.

Sudan have suffered a 3-1 defeat to Senegal to become the first team to exit the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in the knock of stage of the last 16.

The team from the CECAFA Zone took an early Aamir Abdallah lead after 6 minutes, but failed to contain the Senegalese team at the Tangier Stadium, Morocco.

Abdallah punished the Senegal defending line to finish with a clever curving shot past goalkeeper Edouard Osoque Mendy. But three minutes later Sudan’s goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid punched away a well taken Ismaila Sarr shot.

After 29 minutes former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane picked the ball from Sudan’s Abuaagla Mohammed to set up Pape Gueye who struck to make it 1-1.

The Lions of Teranga continued to dominate play as Sudan defended in numbers with two minutes of added time before the break Gueye netted his second goal of the evening.

After recess the Senegal team sat back and dominated the match with a slower pace before substitute Ibrahim Mbaye added the third goal.

Sudan tried to fight back, but failed to find the spaces to score more goals.

Kwesi James Appiah, the Sudan coach praised his team for the spirited fight against an experienced Senegal team. “Of course I am disappointed with the result of the game but proud of the effort of my players throughout this competition. Despite the result tonight I am sure the Sudanese people know that we came to this competition and proudly represented them,” added Appiah.

The Senegal coach Pape Thiaw also noted that Sudan is a very disciplined Sudan team and showed that they got to stage by merit.

On Sunday another team from the CECAFA Zone Tanzania will face a tough task against hosts Morocco in a match slated to take place in Rabat.

CECAFA teams Sudan and Tanzania will face tough opposition the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 group of 16 knock out stage.

Tanzania who finished third in Group C are pitted against hosts Morocco on January 4^th at the Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat

Sudan who lost their last Group E match 2-0 to Burkina Faso on Tuesday have progressed at the third best team in the group and will face Senegal on January 3^rd in a match to be played at the Tangier Stadium.

James Kwesi Appiah, the Sudan head coach told Cecafa online that they are happy to qualify for the knock out stage. “We have achieved our first mission of making it to the knock out stage and now we must plan for our match against Senegal,” added Appiah.

In the Group stage Sudan suffered a 3-0 defeat to Algeria in the opening match, before they recovered to defeat Equatorial Guinea 1-0, and lost 2-0 to Burkina Faso in the last match.

Appiah has made it clear that although they will face a talented Senegal team, they will try to prepare well ahead of that match because they know what to expect.

Tanzania who managed a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria and a 1-1 draw against Uganda and Tunisia to finish among the best four third placed team will face an acid test against the hosts.

Miguel Ángel Gamondi, the Tanzania care taker coach has said making it to the knock out round for Tanzania ever at the AFCON is a big achievement. “The first task is accomplished and now we look to the knock out stage,” added Gamondi.

The other match-ups will see Mali face Tunisia, while South Africa take on Cameroon. In the other matches Egypt will take on Benin, Nigeria face Mozambique, Algeria battle DR Congo, and reigning champions Ivory Coast line-up against Burkina Faso.

Every team that qualifies for the group of 16 will pocket a cash prize of US$800,000 out of the total US$32 million the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will distribute for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

The Taifa Stars of Tanzania have held Tunisia to a 1-1 draw to qualify for the knock out Round of 16 as one of the best four third placed teams at the on-going TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

Ismael Gharbi slotted in a penalty after 42 minutes at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat after dfender Bakari Mwamnyeto had fouled Hazem Mastour in the box.

But Tanzanian’s bench made some changes bringing off the tired skipper Mbwana Samatta. Nine minutes into the second half attacking midfielder Feisal Salum fired in the equalizer to beat Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen.

The two sides continued to try and push forward to get goals, but to no avail.

While the Carthage Eagles qualify as the second best in Group C, Tanzania qualified for the knock out stage for the first time as one of the best four third placed teams. The other teams will be decided after the final group matches on Wednesday.

In another Group C match played at the Fez Stadium, Nigeria stopped a 10-man Uganda side 3-1 to keep their 100% winning record in the group stage.

Raphael Onyedika netted a brace, while Paul Onuachu also go his name on the scores sheet for Nigeria. Uganda were reduced to 10-men after substitute goalkeeper Salim Jamal Magoola was sent-off. But Rogers Mato pulled one goal back for Uganda Cranes after 75 minutes.

Action continues on Wednesday with Sudan facing Burkina Faso in a Group E match in Casablanca, while Equatorial Guinea take on 2019 champions Algeria.

Group C

                 P    W    D     L    GF    GA  GD  Pts

Nigeria      3     3     0     0     6      3     3     9

Tunisia      3     2     0     1     6     4      2     6

Tanzania   3     0     2     1     3     4     -1     2

Uganda     3     0      1     2     3     7    -4      1