Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured qualification for the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic 3–2 victory over Tunisia in an entertaining Group C encounter at Fez Stadium on Saturday night. The win took Nigeria to six points after two matches, placing them firmly at the top of the group ahead of Tunisia on three points, while Tanzania and Uganda trail with one point apiece going into the final round of fixtures on Tuesday.
The clash, which marked the seventh AFCON meeting between the Super Eagles and the Carthage Eagles, lived up to its billing. Nigeria had entered the match under scrutiny after an unconvincing opening-game performance against Tanzania, but they responded in emphatic fashion with a dominant display, especially in the first hour.
Nigeria appeared to be cruising when they raced into a three-goal lead, courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, captain Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman. However, Tunisia staged a late comeback that turned the contest into a nerve-wracking finish, scoring twice in the closing stages and coming close to an unlikely equaliser during stoppage time.
The Super Eagles began the match with authority, pressing aggressively and pinning Tunisia deep in their own half. Osimhen, wearing his familiar protective mask, was a constant menace in the air and set the tone early. Within the opening 10 minutes, he rose to meet a cross but directed his header narrowly over the bar, before threatening again from a corner shortly after.
The Napoli forward thought he had opened the scoring in the 17th minute, but his effort was ruled out for offside after replays showed he had moved too early. Despite the setback, Nigeria continued to dominate possession and territory, forcing Tunisia to defend in numbers. Hannibal Mejbri was fortunate not to receive a booking for dissent after reacting angrily to a foul throw decision, reflecting Tunisia’s growing frustration.
Tunisia briefly emerged from their defensive stance midway through the first half, winning a corner that resulted in Ali Abdi firing harmlessly over the bar. But Nigeria remained in control, and their persistence paid off just before halftime. In the 44th minute, Lookman delivered a precise cross into the box, where Osimhen outjumped his markers to power a header past goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, giving Nigeria a deserved lead.
The Super Eagles wasted no time asserting themselves after the break. Five minutes into the second half, they doubled their advantage, again capitalising on Tunisia’s vulnerability from set pieces. Lookman swung in a corner, and Ndidi rose highest to head home his first international goal, leaving the Tunisian defence exposed once more.
Nigeria’s third goal arrived on 67 minutes and was the product of excellent link-up play between their two standout performers. Osimhen turned provider, laying the ball into Lookman’s path inside the penalty area. The Atalanta forward showed composure, controlling the pass before driving a low shot off the post and into the net to make it 3–0.
At that stage, the contest appeared settled, but Tunisia refused to fold. With 16 minutes remaining, they pulled a goal back when Montassar Talbi met a Mejbri free-kick with a well-placed header, finally winning an aerial duel against the Nigerian defence. The goal shifted the momentum, and Tunisia suddenly looked revitalised.
Pressure mounted in the closing minutes, and Tunisia struck again in the 87th minute. A VAR review ruled that Bright Osayi-Samuel had handled the ball in the box, and Abdi calmly converted the resulting penalty to reduce the deficit to one goal.
The final moments were tense, with Tunisia pushing desperately for an equaliser. In seven minutes of added time, captain Ferjani Sassi headed narrowly wide, while substitute Ismael Gharbi fired just off target, narrowly missing the chance to complete a dramatic comeback.
Despite the late scare, Nigeria held on to claim a crucial victory and secure early passage into the knockout stages. The result also extended Nigeria’s superior AFCON record against Tunisia, with three wins to Tunisia’s one, alongside two penalty shootout outcomes shared between the sides. For the Super Eagles, the performance was a statement of intent as they look ahead to the latter stages of the tournament with renewed confidence.
