The "phoney war" is over. We are done with the days of isolated kick-offs where you could watch every single minute of every game. Today, Day 10 of the AFCON 2025, marks the beginning of the true tournament chaos.
It is Matchday 3 for Groups C and D. To ensure fair play and prevent match manipulation, CAF regulations dictate that the final games of each group must be played simultaneously.
For the fans in Morocco and watching around the world, this means one thing: it’s time to get the second screen ready. One eye on the TV, one eye on the "Live Table" app. A goal in Fez changes the fate of a team playing in Tangier. A red card in Rabat sends ripples through a stadium 10km away.
Here is your survival guide to the high-stakes drama unfolding today.
17:00 GMT+1 | Group C Finale
The Battle for the Super Eagles' Perch
The action begins in the late afternoon. Group C has been a fascinating mix of heavyweight power and underdog resilience.
Fixture 1: Nigeria vs. Benin
Venue: Stade de Fès, Fez
The Stakes: Top Spot vs. Survival
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have likely done enough to qualify, but the job isn't finished. Finishing second in the group often means a nightmare draw in the Round of 16 (potentially against the winner of Group A or B). Victor Osimhen and co. will want to seal the top spot professionally. For Benin (The Cheetahs), this is a final. Led by Gernot Rohr—the former Nigeria coach—they know a win guarantees qualification, while a draw leaves them sweating on the "Best Third Place" math.
Fixture 2: Rwanda vs. Libya
Venue: Grand Stade de Tanger, Tangier
The Stakes: The Miracle of Tangier
While the giants clash in Fez, a desperate battle takes place in the north. Both Rwanda and Libya are likely sitting on 0 or 1 point. A draw eliminates both. The only path forward is a convincing win to reach the magic number of 3 or 4 points and hope it’s enough to sneak in as one of the four best third-placed teams.
The "Live Table" Watch: If Nigeria scores early, Benin will be forced to attack, opening the game up. If Rwanda takes a 2-0 lead in Tangier, they might leapfrog Benin in the live standings. This hour will be pure flux.
20:00 GMT+1 | Group D Finale
The Clash of the Titans in the Capital
As night falls, the focus shifts entirely to the capital, Rabat. In a unique twist, the city hosts two massive games at the exact same time.
Fixture 3: Senegal vs. Burkina Faso
Venue: Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah, Rabat
The Stakes: Battle for the Throne
This is the heavyweight clash of the day. The Lions of Teranga (Senegal) vs. The Stallions (Burkina Faso). Both teams have likely secured qualification, so this is a battle for the "easier" path. Sadio Mané vs. Bertrand Traoré. These teams know each other inside out. Expect a high-speed, physical encounter. The winner takes the group; the loser faces a group winner in the next round.
Fixture 4: Malawi vs. Burundi
Venue: Stade Moulay Hassan, Rabat
The Stakes: Pride and Possibility
Just a few miles away at the smaller Moulay Hassan stadium, Malawi and Burundi fight for their lives. Much like the Rwanda/Libya game, this is "win or go home." A draw sends both packing. The desperation usually leads to open, attacking football, making this a potential "Game of the Day" sleeper hit.
The "Best Third Place" Calculator
This is where the headache begins.
The Rule: The top two teams from each of the 6 groups qualify automatically (12 teams). The remaining 4 spots in the Round of 16 go to the four best third-placed finishers.
The Bubble: Right now, fans of teams in Group A and B (who finished playing yesterday) are watching today’s games nervously.
If the 3rd place team in Group C finishes with only 2 points, it’s good news for Group A/B.
If the 3rd place team in Group D wins big and gets to 4 points, they likely steal a spot from someone else.
Key Number: 4 Points. If a 3rd place team reaches 4 points, they are almost statistically guaranteed to go through. 3 points is a coin toss.
Fan Logistics: The Multi-Screen Experience
If you are watching from home, you need a strategy:
Primary Screen: Tune into the "Big Game" (Nigeria vs. Benin / Senegal vs. Burkina Faso).
Secondary Screen: Keep a stream or live-score app open for the parallel game.
Notifications On: Enable goal alerts for all four teams in the group.
For fans in Rabat, the city is split. The red of Malawi and the green of Senegal will be crossing paths on the trams, but once the whistle blows at 20:00, the capital will be divided into two distinct cauldrons of noise.
Conclusion: The Bracket Takes Shape
By 22:00 tonight, we will know 10 or 11 of the 16 teams remaining in the tournament. The picture is becoming clearer, but for four nations playing today, the dream hangs by a thread.
Will the Super Eagles soar? Will the Stallions gallop to victory? Or will a mathematical miracle save an underdog?