The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has reached a pivotal juncture, with seven countries officially eliminated from the competition following the conclusion of early group-stage finales on Tuesday. Uganda became the latest casualty of the tournament after suffering a 3-1 defeat at the hands of a clinical Nigeria side in Fès.
The Cranes finish their campaign at the bottom of Group C with just a single point, joining Botswana, Zambia, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Zimbabwe on the list of departing teams. This mass exit highlights the ruthless nature of the group phase as the continent’s elite prepare for the knockout rounds.
While some nations prepare for departure, the tournament’s powerhouse teams continue to assert their dominance. Seven nations have already confirmed their positions in the Round of 16, led by a flawless Nigeria side that secured nine points from three matches.
Tunisia also clinched progress on Tuesday evening after a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Tanzania, ensuring their survival as Group C runners-up. Other heavyweights including Algeria, Mali, Morocco, South Africa, and Egypt have also booked their spots in the elimination phase, which commences this weekend across various Moroccan cities.
The exit of Uganda was particularly dramatic, as the East African side needed an unlikely victory against the Super Eagles to maintain their hopes of advancing as a best third-placed team. Instead, the loss cemented their fourth-place finish, while Tanzania’s resilient draw against Tunisia allowed the Taifa Stars to leapfrog them in the standings.
In Group A, the elimination of Zambia and Comoros on Monday night cleared the path for Morocco and Mali to advance, while the early struggles of Botswana in Group D and Gabon in Group F ensured their early exits before the final matchday.
As the competition enters the New Year, the focus shifts to the remaining slots in Groups D, E, and F, which will be decided by Wednesday evening. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) expects the final bracket to take shape by midnight on December 31, setting the stage for high-stakes encounters starting January 3, 2026. Fans anticipate a significant increase in intensity as the qualified teams leave their base camps for the knockout venues in Rabat, Casablanca, and Agadir.
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