The goalless draw between Tanzania and Tunisia at the Africa Cup of Nations proved to be a result that worked in favour of both sides — albeit with very different consequences.

For Tunisia, a point was all that was required to secure second place in Group C. Mission accomplished.

As it turned out, the stalemate also opened the door for Tanzania. Finishing third in the group, they progressed thanks to superior overall statistics, sneaking into the last 16 as one of the best third-placed teams.

However, the reward comes with a daunting challenge. Tanzania now face Morocco in the round of 16, a matchup that on paper looks like a near-impossible task against one of the tournament’s heavyweights.

Tunisia, meanwhile, appear to have landed a more forgiving draw. In the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations, they will take on Mali — still a tough opponent, but one that offers a clearer path forward.

2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Tanzania - Tunisia 1:1 (0:1)
Goals: Gharbi, 43 (penalty) (0:1); Salum, 48 (1:1)

Tanzania: Masalanga; Hamad; Job; Mwamnyeto; Hussein M-d (Msindo, 67); Mnoga (Kapombe, 90); Miroshi; Msanga; Salum (M'Mombwa, 85); Samatta (Mwalimu, 46); Msuva (Allarakhia, 85)
Substitution: Mwalimu (from 46); Msindo (from 67); M'Mombwa (from 85); Allarakhia (from 85); Kapombe (from 90)
Bench: Foba; Kibabage; Nangu; Mwaikenda; Kagoma; Habibu; Nashon; Nado; Kibu; John Ke.
Yellow Cards: Hamad 41; Mwamnyeto 57; Msuva 59

Tunisia: Dahmen Ay.; Abdi Ali; Talbi; Bronn; Valery; Skhiri; Mejbri (Hadj Mahmoud, 88); Gharbi (Ben Romdhane, 88); Achouri (Sassi F., 52); Mastouri (Jaziri S., 64); Tounekti (Sliti, 64)
Substitution: Sassi F. (from 52); Sliti (from 64); Jaziri S. (from 64); Hadj Mahmoud (from 88); Ben Romdhane (from 88)
Bench: Farhati; Ben Saïd; Meriah; Maâloul A.; Ben Ali; Ben Ouanes; Arous Adem; Ghandri; Tka; Chaouat
Yellow Cards: Valery 31