Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a place in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic 3–2 victory over Tunisia in a pulsating Group C encounter at Fez Stadium on Saturday. The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising after racing into a 3–0 lead through Victor Osimhen, captain Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman. Osimhen broke the deadlock late in the first half, rising powerfully to head home a cross from Lookman, before Ndidi doubled the advantage five minutes into the second half with his first international goal, again exploiting Tunisia’s aerial frailties.
Nigeria tightened their grip on the contest on 67 minutes when Lookman capped an outstanding display by scoring the third. Set up by Osimhen, the Atalanta forward calmly controlled the ball in the box before driving it in off the post.
Tunisia, however, refused to fold. Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with 16 minutes remaining, nodding in a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, and the momentum swung decisively in the final stages. Three minutes from time, Ali Abdi converted a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a handball by Bright Samuel.
The Carthage Eagles came agonisingly close to completing the comeback during seven minutes of added time, but Ferjani Sassi’s header and a late effort from substitute Ismael Gharbi narrowly missed the target, allowing Nigeria to cling on.
The result leaves Nigeria top of Group C with six points, ahead of Tunisia on three, while Tanzania and Uganda have one point apiece, with the final round of group matches scheduled for Tuesday. It was the seventh AFCON meeting between the two sides, further underlining Nigeria’s growing dominance in the fixture.
