The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 group stage concluded with a series of crucial matches, determining the final standings and the teams progressing to the highly anticipated Round of 16. Several nations showcased their title credentials through dominant performances, while others battled fiercely to secure their spots as best third-placed teams, setting the stage for an enthralling knockout phase.

In Group D, Senegal cemented their top position with a commanding 3-0 victory over Benin in Tangiers. Abdoulaye Seck opened the scoring with a powerful header in the 38th minute from Krépin Diatta’s set piece, followed by Habib Diallo’s composed finish in the 62nd minute from a Sadio Mané assist. Despite captain Kalidou Koulibaly receiving a red card in the 71st minute after a VAR review, Senegal extended their lead deep into stoppage time with Cherif Ndiaye converting a penalty in the 97th minute. Benin, despite the defeat, advanced to the Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams. Simultaneously, DR Congo secured second place in Group D by delivering a masterclass 3-0 victory over Botswana in Rabat. Gaël Kakuta was instrumental, providing a backheel assist for Nathanaël Mbuku’s opener in the 31st minute. Kakuta then calmly converted a penalty in the 41st minute after a VAR confirmed a handball by Thabo Leinanyane, and completed his brace on the hour mark from Theo Bongonda's cross, making it 3-0. Botswana, already eliminated, struggled to mount a response.

Group C also saw decisive action, with Nigeria confirming their top spot with an emphatic 3-1 victory over Uganda in Fès, ending Uganda’s campaign. Paul Onuachu netted his first international goal in four years, opening the scoring in the 28th minute. Uganda’s challenge escalated when Salim Magoola was shown a red card for handball in the 56th minute. Raphael Onyedika capitalized on the numerical advantage, scoring twice in the 62nd and 67th minutes, both assisted by Samuel Chukwueze. Rogers Mato pulled one back for ten-man Uganda in the 75th minute, but Nigeria professionally managed the closing stages to secure a perfect nine points. In another pivotal Group C encounter, Tanzania and Tunisia played to a 1-1 draw in Rabat. Tunisia took the lead in the 42nd minute through an Ismael Gharbi penalty, awarded after a VAR review for a foul on Hazem Mastouri. Tanzania found their equalizer in the 54th minute, with Feisal Salum curling a fine effort from the edge of the area. This result secured Tunisia’s qualification in second place, while Tanzania preserved a strong chance of progression as one of the best four third-placed teams.

Individual brilliance shone through the final group matches, with Abdoulaye Seck for Senegal, Gaël Kakuta for DR Congo, and Raphael Onyedika for Nigeria earning Man of the Match accolades for their outstanding performances. Coaches shared their insights post-match; Senegal’s Pape Thiaw praised his players' performance in a difficult match, emphasizing the objective of finishing top. Benin coach Gerrit Rohr acknowledged the difficulty against an experienced Senegal side, vowing to correct mistakes for the knockout stage. Tunisia’s Sami Trabelsi expressed satisfaction with securing qualification, noting the need to improve for tougher opposition. Tanzania’s Miguel Gamondi highlighted his pride in the team for changing their