Tanzania's Taifa Stars reached the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) knockout stage for the first time, achieving the feat at the fourth attempt and 45 years after their tournament debut.

Tuesday’s 1–1 draw with Tunisia in Rabat, Morocco, saw them finish third in Group C. They missed out on the automatic qualification places but advanced as one of the four best third-placed teams.

The Tanzanians had failed to score at any previous AFCON finals, but found the back of the net in all of their matches at the 2025 edition in Morocco.

Feisal Salum struck early in the second half to cancel out Ismael Gharbi’s penalty just before the break, earning the draw against Tunisia.

The result allowed Tanzania to edge out Angola on goals scored for one of the four places reserved for third-placed finishers.

They will face hosts and title favourites Morocco in Rabat on Sunday.

Tunisia finished second in the group with four points, behind table-toppers Nigeria, who completed a perfect group-stage campaign.

Nigeria will face the third-placed team from Group F — currently Mozambique — on Monday in Fes.

Report edited by CGTN Africa's Matthews Mutai.