Nigeria Faces Tough Rivals Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania in 2025 AFCON Group C Draw

Nigeria Drawn in AFCON 2025's 'Group of Grit' with Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania

The AFCON 2025 draw isn’t pulling any punches. Nigeria, possibly hoping for an easy route, got thrown into Group C with some of the toughest company on the continent. The Super Eagles, three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners, have landed heavyweights Tunisia, along with Uganda and Tanzania—two East African sides ready to test themselves on the big stage. This is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable and high-stakes groups in the whole tournament.

Everything kicks off on December 23, 2025, in Morocco. Nigeria gets started against Tanzania at the Complexe Sportif de Fès. For Tanzania, making it out of the group stage would be a first—they’ve never been to the knockout rounds in AFCON history. Still, this squad has shown flashes of promise in recent qualifiers, and they’ll be hungry to turn heads against one of the continent’s giants.

While Nigeria and Tanzania battle in Fès, over in Rabat, Uganda faces Tunisia at the Stade Annexe of Prince Moulay. This match is a big deal for Uganda, who finally make their return to AFCON finals after a six-year absence. The Cranes have been desperate to get back to this stage, and now their first test is Tunisia—the team that won the tournament in 2004 and always finds a way to go deep.

The Stakes: Old Rivalries, New Ambitions

If you’re looking for revenge drama, circle December 27. Nigeria and Tunisia square off at Complexe Sportif de Fès, and you better believe the Super Eagles have not forgotten 2021. Last time these two met at AFCON, Tunisia sent Nigeria packing in the Round of 16. Since then, the narrative in Nigerian football media has focused on that upset, adding even more spice to this clash.

Meanwhile, Uganda and Tanzania square off in Rabat the same day. It’s not just a regional rivalry—both sides know this AFCON is the perfect stage to prove they can compete among Africa’s best ahead of their big moment in 2027. Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya are set to co-host the next AFCON, so their duel is more than about points—it’s a true test of readiness and ambition for both rising squads.

When the dust settles on December 31, Uganda will cap their group journey against Nigeria, while Tanzania faces Tunisia. These fixtures will decide which two teams move on. In a group where two former champions are facing off against two hungry newcomers, it’s all about who stays cool under pressure and takes their chances. There’s no room for slip-ups.

For Nigeria, expectations are always sky-high. But with Tunisia’s experience and the unpredictability of Uganda and Tanzania, the Super Eagles will have to play their best football right from day one if they want a shot at a fourth AFCON crown. For the outsiders, just one win over a favorite could shift the mood of the whole group. The road to the knockout stages looks anything but straightforward.