Nigeria’s Super Eagles have secured qualification for the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations following a pulsating 3–2 victory over Tunisia at the Fez Stadium on Saturday.
The three-time African champions looked set for a comfortable evening after racing into a commanding 3–0 lead, with Victor Osimhen, captain Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman all finding the net. However, a late surge from Tunisia turned the Group C encounter into a nervy finish.
Osimhen opened the scoring just before halftime, rising above his markers to power home a header from a Lookman cross after Nigeria had dominated much of the opening period. The Napoli striker, outstanding in the air throughout the contest, had earlier seen a goal ruled out for offside and narrowly missed on several occasions.
Nigeria doubled their advantage five minutes after the restart when Lookman delivered another dangerous corner that Ndidi met with a towering header to score his first international goal. The Super Eagles continued to pile on the pressure and were rewarded again in the 67th minute as Lookman capped a fine performance by controlling a pass from Osimhen before firing a low shot in off the post.
Tunisia refused to capitulate and clawed their way back into the contest with 16 minutes remaining. Montassar Talbi headed home from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick to reduce the deficit, shifting the momentum in favour of the Carthage Eagles.
The North Africans made it a tense finale three minutes from time when Ali Abdi converted a penalty, awarded after a VAR review confirmed a handball by Bright Samuel. Tunisia pushed hard for an equaliser during seven minutes of stoppage time, but Ferjani Sassi’s header and a late effort from substitute Ismael Gharbi narrowly missed the target.
The result leaves Nigeria on six points at the top of Group C, ahead of Tunisia on three, while Tanzania and Uganda trail with one point each. The final round of group matches will be decided on Tuesday.
Saturday’s encounter marked the seventh AFCON meeting between the two rivals. Nigeria have now claimed three wins, while Tunisia have one, with two previous clashes settled by penalty shootouts.
After an underwhelming opening win against Tanzania, the Super Eagles showed renewed confidence and attacking intent, sending a strong signal ahead of the knockout stages.
