AFCON 2025 Day 3: Super Eagles survive scare as Senegal make thunderous statement - Pulse of the Day

Day three of AFCON 2025 just reminded everyone why this tournament is special.

This is where AFCON truly comes alive, favourites asserting dominance, underdogs announcing their presence, and fans getting the kind of edge-of-your-seat action that makes African football unmissable.

Whether your team roared or struggled today, the group stage is heating up fast and the path to the knockout rounds just got a whole lot clearer for some and more complicated for others.

The Headliners: Senegal Absolutely Demolish, Nigeria Nearly Stumble

• Senegal 3–0 Botswana: The Teranga Lions Roar Loudest

If you wanted to see a team announce themselves as serious title contenders, Senegal just handed you the blueprint. The Teranga Lions absolutely dismantled Botswana in Tangier with a performance that combined clinical finishing, tactical discipline, and the kind of swagger that wins tournaments.

Nicolas Jackson, fresh off his big-money move to Bayern Munich, reminded everyone why Europe's elite came calling. The striker was unplayable, netting a sublime brace that had Botswana's defence chasing shadows all evening. His movement, his finishing, his confidence, this was a statement performance from a player arriving at AFCON with something to prove.

Just when Botswana thought their misery might end at 2-0, substitute Chérif Ndiaye twisted the knife in stoppage time, tapping home a third to give Senegal the kind of goal difference cushion that could prove crucial later in the group stage.

This wasn't just a win. This was Senegal putting the entire tournament on notice: we're here, we're sharp, and we're coming for that trophy.

Nigeria 2–1 Tanzania: The Super Eagles' Nervous But Necessary Start

If Senegal's performance was champagne football, Nigeria's was more like strong coffee at 6 AM, not pretty, but absolutely necessary to get through the day.

The Super Eagles started brightly enough. Semi Ajayi rose highest to power home a header that gave Nigeria the lead and had fans believing this would be a comfortable afternoon. Spoiler alert: it wasn't.

Tanzania had other ideas. Charles M'Mombwa, a name that will haunt Nigerian defenders for a while, stunned the favourites with a 50th-minute equalizer that sent shockwaves through the stadium. Suddenly, the Super Eagles looked vulnerable. Suddenly, Tanzania looked like they believed.

For exactly 120 seconds, anyway.

Because this is when Ademola Lookman remembered he's Ademola Lookman. The winger picked up the ball, spotted his angle, and absolutely rifled a shot into the top corner, the kind of strike that wins matches and spares blushes. Nigeria 2, Tanzania 1, and three points secured despite playing well below their best.

It wasn't vintage Super Eagles football. It was scrappy, occasionally panicked, and uncomfortably close. But champions find ways to win ugly, and Nigeria did exactly that. They'll need to be sharper against Tunisia, but for now, three points is three points.

DR Congo 1–0 Benin: Professional, If Not Spectacular

While Senegal was putting on a show and Nigeria was surviving scares, DR Congo quietly went about their business in Rabat with the kind of professional performance that tournament veterans produce.

Théo Bongonda was the hero, pouncing on a defensive howler in the 16th minute to slot home what would prove to be the winner. One goal. One chance. Maximum efficiency.

The Leopards thought they'd doubled their advantage when Cédric Bakambu found the net, but VAR, doing what VAR does, spotted a marginal offside and chalked it off. No matter. DR Congo defended solidly, controlled possession when needed, and saw out a result that puts them right where they want to be: second in Group D with three points and genuine belief they can progress.

This wasn't the flashiest football you'll see at AFCON 2025, but it was effective. And in tournament football, it effectively beats entertaining every single time.

Tunisia 3–1 Uganda: The Carthage Eagles Soar in Style

If you're looking for "Statement Performance of the Day Not Named Senegal," Tunisia just raised their hand emphatically.

Elias Achouri was absolutely magnificent in the nightcap, grabbing a brace that included a side-foot volley so sweet it deserves its own highlight reel. Tunisia's tactical setup completely overwhelmed Uganda's defense, creating chances with ease and converting them with clinical precision.

Uganda's Denis Omedi managed a late consolation goal, the kind that makes the scoreline slightly more respectable but changes absolutely nothing about the match narrative. Tunisia were superior in every department, and the result never felt in doubt after Achouri's first.

The victory puts Tunisia top of Group C on goal difference, and more importantly, it sets up an absolutely mouthwatering clash with Nigeria in Matchday 2. If both teams bring their A-game, we're in for a proper heavyweight battle.

What's Coming: Christmas Eve AFCON Action

Wednesday, December 24, brings the final group stage debuts and a massive clash for the Black Stars:

Group E Makes Its Entrance:

Algeria vs Sierra Leone – The Desert Foxes begin their campaign

Ghana vs Mauritania – The Black Stars looking to start strong

Group F Continues:

Mali vs Zambia (Matchday 2) – Both teams desperate for points after opening results

Ghana's clash with Mauritania carries extra weight after their neighbors' performances today. The Black Stars will be watching Nigeria's struggles and thinking: "We can do better than that."

The Bottom Line: AFCON 2025 Is Heating Up Fast

Day three delivered everything AFCON promises: stunning goals, dramatic comebacks, tactical masterclasses, and the kind of unpredictability that makes this tournament so special.

Senegal announced themselves as the team to beat. Nigeria survived when they probably shouldn't have. Tunisia positioned themselves as genuine contenders. And DR Congo quietly went about their business like the experienced campaigners they are.

Groups C and D are already shaping up beautifully, with massive clashes looming that will determine who advances and who goes home early. The favourites have fired their warning shots. The underdogs have shown they won't roll over easily.

This is AFCON. This is why we watch. And it's only going to get better from here.

Tomorrow brings new drama, new heroes, and new heartbreak. The tournament is alive, the groups are taking shape, and African football is doing what it does best: delivering absolute magic.

Buckle up. It's going to be a wild ride to that final in Marrakech.