THE knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations took clearer shape on Tuesday night as Senegal topped Group D, DR Congo were handed a daunting last-16 clash against Algeria, and Tanzania made history by qualifying for the knockout phase for the first time in 45 years.
News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Senegal produced a commanding display to defeat Benin 3–0 in Tangier, finishing top of Group D on goal difference ahead of DR Congo.
Goals from Abdoulaye Seck, Habib Diallo, and a late Cherif Ndiaye penalty ensured the Lions of Teranga ended the group stage unbeaten with seven points from three matches, edging DR Congo by a superior goal difference of two.
Senegal took the lead in the 38th minute when Israel-based centre-back Seck rose highest to head home Krepin Diatta’s free-kick. The champions doubled their advantage shortly after the hour mark as Sadio Mane delivered a superb cutback that Diallo turned home from close range.
However, Senegal were reduced to 10 men when captain Kalidou Koulibaly was sent off after a VAR review upgraded his yellow card to red. Despite being a man down, Senegal held firm before Ndiaye converted a 97th-minute penalty, ending any lingering doubts about their group position.
By topping the group, Pape Thiaw’s side earned a comparatively kinder route in the knockout phase and will remain in Tangier to face the third-placed team in Group E, either Burkina Faso or Sudan, on Saturday.
At the same time in Rabat, DR Congo thrashed already-eliminated Botswana 3–0, also finishing with seven points but falling short of top spot.
Playmaker Gaël Kakuta delivered a masterclass performance, setting up Nathanael Mbuku with a clever backheel for the opener before scoring twice himself — once from the penalty spot and again from open play following an assist from Theo Bongonda.
The Leopards came agonisingly close to matching Senegal’s goal difference when Fiston Mayele appeared to score a fourth goal, but VAR ruled it out for handball.
The result condemned DR Congo to second place, setting up a heavyweight last-16 clash against 2019 champions Algeria next Tuesday — a tie whose winner could potentially face Nigeria in the quarter-finals.
Despite their defeat to Senegal, Benin progressed as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams, courtesy of their earlier 1–0 victory over Botswana.
It marks just the second time Benin have reached the AFCON knockout stages, with a daunting reward — a meeting with Mohamed Salah’s Egypt in Agadir on Monday.
In Rabat, history was made as Tanzania qualified for the AFCON knockout stage for the first time, 45 years after their debut appearance in 1980.
The Taifa Stars came from behind to draw 1–1 with Tunisia, a result that secured their progression as the final best-ranked third-placed team, edging out Angola on goals scored.
Tunisia took the lead just before half-time through Ismael Gharbi, who converted a penalty awarded after VAR adjudged Ibrahim Hamad to have fouled Hazem Mastouri.
Tanzania responded early in the second half when Feisal Salum struck from outside the box, his low effort sneaking inside the left-hand post to stun the largely Tunisian crowd.
Despite late pressure, neither side found a winner, and the draw proved enough to send Tanzania through with two points, making them the first team since AFCON expanded to 24 teams in 2019 to reach the last 16 with that tally.
While Tanzania celebrated a landmark achievement, Tunisia’s players were booed off by their supporters after failing to defeat a side ranked 71 places below them in the world.
Tunisia, who beat Uganda before losing to Nigeria in the group stage, finished second behind the Super Eagles and will face Mali in Casablanca on Saturday.
Tanzania, still searching for their first-ever AFCON finals win, remain in Rabat for a daunting last-16 clash against host nation Morocco on Sunday.
As the group stage draws to a close, AFCON 2025 continues to deliver drama, history, and blockbuster matchups, with traditional heavyweights and emerging contenders now set for a thrilling knockout phase.