By Business Insider Reporter
As Africa’s best footballers gear up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, Tanzanian fans are eagerly anticipating the performance of their national team, the Taifa Stars.
The 35th edition of Africa’s premier football tournament promises drama, excitement, and a showcase of top-tier talent, running over Christmas and New Year for the first time.
Taifa Stars’ group and fixtures
Tanzania finds itself in Group C, alongside regional rival Uganda, African heavyweight Nigeria, and North African contender Tunisia.
The group stage will be a true test for the Taifa Stars as they aim to advance to the knockout rounds for the first time since their last appearance.
The group stage fixtures for Tanzania are scheduled as follows:
- Tanzania vs Nigeria
- Tanzania vs Tunisia
- Tanzania vs Uganda
The top two teams from each group, along with the four best-ranked third-placed teams, will progress to the last 16, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals, a third-place playoff, and the final on Sunday, 18 January 2026, at 19:00 GMT.
Where the action happens: AFCON 2025 venues
Morocco has invested heavily in stadium renovations to deliver a world-class tournament. Nine stadiums across six host cities will host the matches, with four venues located in the capital, Rabat:
- Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat – 69,500 capacity (hosts Morocco’s group matches and the final)
- Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah Olympic Stadium, Rabat – 21,000 capacity
- Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay El Hassan, Rabat – 22,000 capacity
- Stade El Barid, Rabat – 18,000 capacity
Other venues include:
- Grande Stade d’Agadir, Agadir – 45,480 capacity
- Complexe Sportif de Fes, Fes – 45,000 capacity
- Grande Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech – 45,240 capacity
- Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca – 67,000 capacity
- Grande Stade de Tangier, Tangier – 68,000 capacity
Taifa Stars’ AFCON 2025 Group Stage Fixtures
| Date | Match | Stadium | Kick-off (GMT) |
| 22 Dec 2025* | Tanzania vs Nigeria | Grande Stade de Marrakech, Marrakech | 17:30 |
| 25 Dec 2025* | Tanzania vs Tunisia | Stade Mohammed V, Casablanca | 20:00 |
| 28 Dec 2025* | Tanzania vs Uganda | Grande Stade d’Agadir, Agadir | 15:00 |
*Dates are illustrative; official AFCON 2025 schedule will confirm exact days.
A feast of football
The tournament kicks off on Sunday, 21 December, when hosts Morocco face Comoros at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium at 19:00 GMT. The group stage, running until 31 December, will feature four matches daily at 12:30, 15:00, 17:30, and 20:00 GMT.
The knockout stages follow, predominantly with matches at 16:00 and 19:00 GMT.
For the Taifa Stars, AFCON 2025 is not just a tournament – it’s an opportunity to showcase Tanzanian football on the continent’s biggest stage, challenge themselves against some of Africa’s finest teams, and make history. Tanzanian fans will be watching closely, hoping their team can lift the nation’s spirits over the festive season.
AFCON 2025: Inside the Tournament Groups
Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros.
Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe.
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania.
Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana.
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan.
Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique.
