One shot changed a nation’s night. A brave Tanzania earned a 1-1 draw with Tunisia in their AFCON 2025 Group C finale at the Stade Olympique de Rabat on December 30, and it was enough to send both teams into the Round of 16. Tunisia led through an Ismael Gharbi penalty just before the break. Feisal Salum answered almost at once after halftime with a low, precise rocket from distance. From there, game management took over. The job got done.

This was more than a point. It was a page in Tanzanian football history. For the first time, the Taifa Stars are through to the AFCON knockout stage. Tunisia, steady if unspectacular, locked in second place and a date with Mali. Tanzania advance as one of the best third-placed teams, edging Angola on goals scored, and will meet host Morocco or Egypt next.

“A long-range missile changed the destiny of AFCON. Tanzania held Tunisia, secured a heroic draw, and sneaked into the Round of 16.”

“At the fourth time of asking, Tanzania have reached the knockout phase of the Africa Cup of Nations.”

AFCON 2025 Group C: Tanzania hold Tunisia 1-1 in Rabat

For 40 minutes, this was a cagey chess match. The expected goals tally on both sides combined was just 0.12. There was little space. Passes were safe, risks rare. Then Tunisia finally found a crack: a penalty, calmly struck in by Gharbi on 43 minutes for his second international goal. A young playmaker, a big moment, and a lead that felt precious in a low-event game.

But Tanzania did not panic. Three minutes after the restart, they delivered their answer. Salum stepped onto a layoff from Novatus Miroshi and drove a skidding, powerful strike from outside the box into the corner. It was hit true, with pace and control. In a match of few chances, it was the kind of goal that flips the script.

“One swing of Salum’s boot changed Tanzania’s future.”

Gharbi’s calm penalty, Salum’s rocket: the turning points

Gharbi’s 43rd-minute spot-kick showed nerve. He waited, picked his side, and slotted it. For Tunisia, who have built a reputation on discipline and control, it fit the plan. Get ahead, then manage the game.

Salum’s answer on 48 minutes was the opposite in feel but equal in value. A low, precise, powerful hit from range, fed by Miroshi’s simple but smart assist. It was clean and early, giving the goalkeeper no time to set. From there, both benches read the table. A draw pushed both teams forward in the tournament. Neither blinked. Neither over-committed.

“Miroshi did the dirty work and the pretty pass—pure MoM energy.”

Group C standings and the qualification picture

The draw locked in a tidy final table in Group C:

• Nigeria: 3-0-0, 9 pts (+4 GD) – group winners
• Tunisia: 1-1-1, 4 pts (+1 GD) – second place
• Tanzania: 0-2-1, 2 pts (-1 GD) – third, advancing as a best third
• Uganda: 0-1-2, 1 pt (-4 GD) – fourth

For Tunisia, the point was enough to avoid the stress of waiting on other groups. For Tanzania, the math matters: two points, and crucially, they finished ahead of Angola on goals scored in the cross-group ranking of third-place teams. It is a small edge with a massive reward.

After Salum’s equalizer, the game shifted from ambition to calculation. Tanzania kept their lines tight. Tunisia did not force it. It was professional, even if not thrilling. But in tournament football, you win by making the right choices at the right time. Both did.

The key figures: Salum, Miroshi and Gharbi

Feisal Salum will get the headline, and rightly so. His strike was the night’s one true “wow” moment, the kind of goal fans remember. He chose power with control and kept it low. Perfect for the surface, perfect under pressure.

Novatus Miroshi earned Flashscore’s Man of the Match, and that also rings true. He set the equalizer with a neat assist and covered space all night. He was calm on the ball and sharp off it. In a tight, tactical game, he was the steady heartbeat Tanzania needed.

On the other side, Ismael Gharbi continues to grow into the shirt. A second international goal, from the spot, still demands composure. He provided it. Tunisia lean on structure; they will hope his cutting edge keeps rising as the stakes go up.

Tanzania lineup snapshot

Head coach turned to trusted names and got the shift he needed. A core that ran, blocked, and believed:

• Masaranga, Hamad, Mwamnyeto, Job, Hussein
• Miroshi, Msanga, Mnoga, Salum
• Samatta, Msuva

“If you can suffer and still land one punch, you’re ready for knockouts.”

What comes next in the AFCON Round of 16

Tunisia now face Mali, a physical and organized opponent. Set pieces, second balls, and composure will matter. Tunisia have experience on their side and a spine that knows how to manage moments. They will need another big night from their back line and from Gharbi in the final third.

Tanzania will meet host Morocco or Egypt. That is a giant test, but nights like this build belief. Keep the shape. Keep the fight. Take the one chance when it comes. They showed they can do exactly that.

Why this result matters

AFCON often comes down to narrow margins. One tackle here, one touch there, one strike from range. Tanzania found that strike and stayed brave. Tunisia showed tournament sense and moved on with minimal fuss. Both teams will know they must raise the level to survive the last 16. But both earned the right to try.

In the end, the image that lingers is simple: Salum’s shot skipping low into the corner, teammates sprinting to him, a bench roaring in disbelief and joy. History made with a clean hit from outside the box. For Tanzania, the door is finally open. For Tunisia, the road remains familiar. For AFCON 2025, the drama keeps rolling.