Tanzania v Tunisia preview
Tanzania are seeking a sizeable upset against opponents ranked 71 places above them by FIFA when Miguel Angel Gamondi’s side meet Tunisia in their final game in Group C in Rabat on Tuesday.
The Taifa Stars need to win to reach the last 16 after losing their opener 2-1 to Nigeria and taking the lead before drawing 1-1 with Uganda.
“We need to try to [be decisive] when we get the ball and attack and create chances,” said Gamondi, whose side could have beaten the Cranes but were also relieved when Allan Okello missed a late penalty for their opponents.
“These boys need to get more confident… it will be very tough. Tunisia are a big team. Tanzania don’t have big experience at the Africa Cup of Nations and, because of that, we’ve made some mistakes. We’ll fight until the last [kick].”
2004 champions Tunisia have started their campaign with a 3-1 win against Uganda and 3-2 defeat to Nigeria, meaning a point will guarantee a place in the last 16.
“Losing hurts – and losing always means many flaws will appear,” said coach Sami Trabelsi, putting the loss to the Super Eagles on Saturday – in which Tunisia were 3-0 behind after 67 minutes – down largely to losing duels.
🎥 HIGHLIGHTS: 🇳🇬 3-2 🇹🇳
Nigeria with a hard-earned win against Tunisia in the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025. pic.twitter.com/hTrfdaKR9X
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 28, 2025
“The championship is still long. The [Tanzania] match is important, and we need to come away with with the points.”
Tanzania must win to go through, while Tunisia would be guaranteed to advance with a draw. A defeat for Trabelsi’s team would leave them with a solid chance of qualifying as one of the four best third-placed teams from the six groups.
Tanzania v Tunisia: AFCON team news
Gamondi could have several tricky decisions to make over his line-up, having brought in Kelvin John for experienced forward Mbwana Samatta – once the subject of an £8.5 million move from Genk to Aston Villa – against Uganda.
Midfielder Charles M’Mombwa scored against Nigeria but moved to the bench against Uganda. Defender Haji Mnoga, of English fourth-tier side Salford City, conceded a penalty and was booked in the draw after replacing Shomari Kapombe.
Trabelsi made a change in midfield against Nigeria, bringing in Mohamed Ben Romdhane for Elias Saad.
Celtic winger Sebastian Tounekti then replaced Al Ahly’s Ben Romdhane during the second half of that game, in which Tunisia’s goals came courtesy of defenders Montassar Talbi and, with an 87th-minute penalty, Ali Abdi.
Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has produced an assist in each of their games. Elias Achouri scored twice against Uganda, with Ellyes Skhiri opening the scoring.
Tanzania v Tunisia: AFCON 2025 predicted line-ups
Tanzania starting XI: Zuberi Foba, Shomari Kapombe, Bakari Mwamnyeto, Ibrahim Hamad, Mohamed Hussein, Simon Msuva, Alphonce Msanga, Charles M’Mombwa, Novatus Miroshi, Tarryn Allarakhia, Mbwana Samatta
Tunisia starting XI: Aymen Dahmen, Yan Valery, Dylan Bronn, Montassar Talbi, Ali Abdi, Mohamed Ben Romdhane, Ferjani Sassi, Ellyes Skhiri, Hannibal Mejbri, Hazem Mastouri, Elias Achouri
How to watch Tanzania v Tunisia: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Monday is at 19:00 GMT (14:00 ET / 11:00 PT). In the UK, live coverage is on Channel 4’s YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.
Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.
Tanzania v Tunisia: AFCON 2025 stats
- Tanzania have never won an AFCON match (D4 L7) and could become the fourth nation, after Mozambique (16), Benin (15) and Guinea-Bissau (12), to fail to win any of their first 12 games at the finals
- Only only one of their last four such matches – against Tunisia at this edition – has ended in defeat (D3)
- They have scored in their first two AFCON matches for the first time since 1980
- In three closing group-stage matches, their only defeat is a 3-0 loss to Algeria in 2019
- Simon Msuva’s goal against Uganda took the forward’s tally to three AFCON goals across three different editions, making him the the first Tanzanian player to score at a hat-trick of separate AFCON tournaments
- All three of Msuva’s AFCON goals have put Tanzania ahead, yet they have failed to win any of those games (D2 L1).
- Defeat to Nigeria was the first time Tunisia had lost an AFCON match after scoring at least two goals since their 3-2 quarter-final defeat to Cameroon in 2008. They had beeen unbeaten in nine when scoring at least twice (W8 D1)
- They lost their second group match after winning their opener for the first time since 2013
- The Eagles of Carthage have failed to win their final group match at each of the last three AFCON tournaments
- A 4-2 win over Zimbabwe in 2017 is their most recent victory in such a game
- Tunisia are poised to reach the knockout stage for a 15th time
- Both of their shots on target against Nigeria were goals and their shot conversion rate of 26% is the highest of any team at the tournament