AFCON: Salum’s long range missile keeps Tanzania alive

Tanzania scrapped their way into the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Tuesday with a 1-1 draw against Tunisia in their Group C finale. Feisal Salum’s strike from distance in the second half was enough for the Taifa Stars, who sneak into the knockout stages as one of the best ranked third place teams with the result.

Needing to avoid defeat to keep their tournament hopes alive, the East Africans continued their attacking struggles in the first half. After managing to contain the Tunisian team for most of the first half, the Eagles of Carthage went ahead with Ismael Gharbi’s 43rd minute penalty kick after Taifa Stars defender Ibrahim Hamad pulled down forward Hazem Mastouri in the penalty area.

And an offensive awakening did not look likely for the East African underdogs by halftime. However, Salum rose to the occasion for his nation less than three minutes into the second half.

Receiving a pass from Novatus Miroshi, the player popularly known as “Fei Toto” quickly moved the ball onto his right foot and fired a low shot that caught goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen off guard at his near post.

With both teams set to advance with a 1-1 result, the attacking urgency died down from both teams who were content with a draw in the end. The result qualifies Tanzania at the expense of Angola, who needed both the Taifa Stars and Uganda to lose after finishing third in Group B with two points. Salum’s goal ensured that his team finished level on points and goal difference with Angola in the third place team table but have scored more goals.

Tanzania advance but will now have to prepare for a monumental task in the Round of 16. They will face hosts Morocco on January 4 in Rabat. Tunisia, meanwhile, will face Group A runners-up Mali in Casablanca on January 3.

⚽ Follow Pan-Africa Football across platforms for real-time news and stories.