Super Eagles storm AFCON round of 16 after 3–2 thriller against Tunisia

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have secured a place in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic 3–2 victory over Tunisia in a pulsating Group C encounter at the Fez Stadium on Saturday.

The Super Eagles appeared firmly in control after racing into a three-goal lead, courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, captain Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman. However, a spirited late fightback by the Carthage Eagles ensured a tense finale to the top-of-the-table clash.

Osimhen opened the scoring shortly before halftime, rising highest to power home a header from Lookman’s cross. Nigeria doubled their advantage early in the second half when Ndidi headed in from a corner, marking his first international goal for the Super Eagles.

Lookman capped Nigeria’s dominant display in the 67th minute, controlling a pass from Osimhen before firing a precise shot off the post to make it 3–0.

Tunisia, however, refused to fold. Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a well-taken header in the 74th minute, before Ali Abdi converted a late penalty following a VAR review that penalised Bright Samuel for handball.

The North Africans came agonisingly close to equalising during seven minutes of added time, but efforts from captain Ferjani Sassi and substitute Ismael Gharbi narrowly missed the target.

The result leaves Nigeria on six points from two matches, guaranteeing qualification to the knockout stage. Tunisia remain on three points, while Tanzania and Uganda have one point each ahead of the final group fixtures on Tuesday.

Saturday’s encounter marked the seventh AFCON meeting between both sides. Nigeria now have three wins in regulation time, Tunisia one, while two previous encounters ended in penalty shootouts with one victory apiece.

After an underwhelming performance in their narrow opening win over Tanzania, the Super Eagles were far more assured against Tunisia, dominating possession and territory, particularly in the opening half-hour.

Osimhen was a constant aerial threat, repeatedly troubling the Tunisian defence, while Lookman orchestrated Nigeria’s attacking play with intelligence and precision.

Despite Tunisia’s late surge, Nigeria held firm to secure a crucial victory that not only avenged past AFCON heartbreaks but also confirmed their status as serious contenders at the tournament.

Very Nigerian.

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