Super Eagles Outlast Tunisia with a 3–2 win to Reach AFCON Round of 16
By Oladejo Eriyimika
The Super Eagles of Nigeria sealed an early place in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday night after a thrilling 3–2 victory over long-time rivals Tunisia in their Group C encounter at the Fez Stadium, Morocco.
Victor Osimhen once again proved decisive as Nigeria dominated large stretches of the contest, scoring once and playing a key role in the other two goals before withstanding a spirited late rally from the Carthage Eagles.
Nigeria looked sharper and more purposeful from the opening whistle, a sharp contrast to their laboured performance in the opening game against Tanzania. The Super Eagles pressed aggressively in midfield, controlled possession, and repeatedly stretched the Tunisian defence with pace and aerial threat.
Osimhen was at the heart of Nigeria’s early dominance. Wearing his trademark protective mask, the Napoli striker won several aerial duels and twice came close with headers in the opening quarter-hour. He also had a goal disallowed for offside after finding the net in the 17th minute.
Tunisia, content to sit deep for much of the first half, struggled to cope with Nigeria’s intensity. Their frustration showed midway through the half, with midfielder Hannibal Mejbri reacting angrily to a foul-throw decision, though he escaped a booking.
The breakthrough finally arrived one minute before halftime. Ademola Lookman delivered a teasing cross from the flank, and Osimhen rose above two defenders to power a header beyond goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, giving Nigeria a deserved lead at the break.Nigeria carried the momentum into the second half and doubled its advantage five minutes after the restart. Once again, Lookman was the provider, floating in a corner, where captain Wilfred Ndidi met with a commanding header to score his first goal for the national team.
The Super Eagles appeared firmly in control and made it 3–0 in the 67th minute. Osimhen turned provider this time, laying the ball into Lookman’s path inside the penalty area. The Atalanta forward took a touch before smashing a low shot off the post and into the net.
With the contest seemingly settled, Tunisia mounted a late resurgence. Montassar Talbi pulled one back in the 74th minute, heading home a Mejbri free-kick to spark renewed belief among the North Africans.
Tunisia’s pressure intensified in the closing stages, and they were handed a lifeline three minutes from time when a VAR review ruled that Bright Samuel had handled the ball in the box. Ali Abdi calmly converted the resulting penalty to reduce the deficit to one goal.
The final moments were tense, with Tunisia pushing numbers forward during seven minutes of added time. Captain Ferjani Sassi narrowly missed the target with a header, while substitute Ismael Gharbi fired just wide, but Nigeria’s defence held firm.
The win lifts Nigeria to six points from two matches, confirming qualification for the knockout stage and making them the second team to do so after Egypt. Tunisia remain on three points, while Tanzania and Uganda each have one point ahead of the final round of group matches on Tuesday.
Saturday’s encounter was the seventh AFCON meeting between Nigeria and Tunisia, further cementing one of the tournament’s enduring rivalries. For Nigeria, the result not only secured progression but also underlined their growing confidence as they continue their quest for a fourth continental title