Nigeria claimed a dramatic 3–2 victory over Tunisia in a pivotal Group C encounter at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2025 on Saturday night, keeping their hopes alive of topping the group and securing early qualification to the knockout stages.
The Super Eagles took control in front of a passionate crowd at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, earning a win that showcased their attacking firepower and resilience under pressure. Victor Osimhen opened the scoring just before halftime, converting a well-worked chance in the 44th minute to give Nigeria the lead going into the break.
Nigeria did not wait long after the restart to extend their advantage. Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi rose unmarked to head in from a set-piece situation in the 50th minute, doubling the Super Eagles’ lead and sending waves of celebration through the Nigerian supporters.
The home side looked firmly in control when Ademola Lookman struck in the 67th minute, capping a swift counter-attacking move and making it 3–0. Lookman’s finish further underlined Nigeria’s attacking intent and gave them a seemingly comfortable cushion.
However, Tunisia refused to go down without a fight. Montassar Talbi headed home from a dangerous free kick in the 74th minute to pull one back, sparking hopes of a comeback among the visiting fans. The Carthage Eagles looked rejuvenated and began to apply pressure in search of another equaliser.
Those hopes were amplified in the 87th minute when Tunisia were awarded a penalty. Ali Abdi stepped up to convert with composure, narrowing the deficit to 3–2 and setting up a tense finish. Although Tunisia pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, Nigeria’s defence held firm to secure all three points.
Nigeria coach Eric Chelle lauded his team’s performance and mentality after the full-time whistle, highlighting the importance of the result in a tightly balanced group. “We knew it was going to be a tough match,” he said. “The players showed great character, and scoring early helped us dictate terms. We have a good chance of qualifying now but must remain focused.”
Despite the loss, Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi emphasised his side’s fighting spirit. “We showed resilience to come back into the game and we deserved to challenge to the end,” he said. “This tournament is about margins, and we will learn from this performance.” (Team sources)
The Super Eagles’ victory keeps them unbeaten in the AFCON 2025 group stage and places them in a strong position to advance to the round of 16. Meanwhile, Tunisia remain competitive in Group C but now face the challenge of needing a positive result in their final match to secure progression.
