The Super Eagles of Nigeria survived a nervy finish to claim a well-earned 3-2 victory over Tunisia in their second game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), Soccernet.ng reports.
Nigeria locked horns with North African giants Tunisia at the Complexe Sportif de Fès on Saturday night for their second AFCON 2025 Group C fixture.
The build-up to the game was massive, as fans expected a lot from both sides given the sheer quality on display.
However, the Super Eagles took the game to the Tunisians from the very first blast of the whistle. Nigeria bossed the play, starving the Carthage Eagles of the ball and clearly looking like the superior side.
Coach Eric Chelle made a key tactical change from the previous game against Tanzania, opting for a three-man midfield with Frank Onyeka replacing Samuel Chukwueze. That decision eventually proved to be a masterstroke.
Eric Chelle makes two changes from the win over Tanzania.
Bruno Onyemaechi and Frank Onyeka start
Alex Iwobi pulls the strings in midfield
Victor Osimhen partners Akor Adams up front#NGATUN #Naija4TheWin #AFCON2025 pic.twitter.com/lzkakME3Ou— Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) December 27, 2025
Nigeria's first real chance came in the 8th minute when Semi Ajayi found Akor Adams with a beautiful pass into the right channel.
The Sevilla man, despite having a marker on him, whipped in a cross to locate Victor Osimhen, but the striker sent his header wide.
Just two minutes later, the Galatasaray star got another headed opportunity from a cross, but again failed to hit the target.
In the 18th minute, Osimhen finally put the ball in the back of the net after pouncing on a rebound from a Wilfred Ndidi strike, but it was unfortunately ruled out for offside.
Tunisia's first major attacking foray didn't come until the 29th minute, as Elias Achouri tried to conjure something on the right, but the Super Eagles' backline held firm.
Nigeria remained the better side throughout the first half, but they had to wait until the 44th minute for the breakthrough. It was courtesy of Osimhen, who got on the end of a precise cross from Ademola Lookman and guided the ball into the net to make it 1-0.
The Super Eagles took that lead into the break, but it was in the second half that the goals really started pouring in.
Just five minutes after the restart, Nigeria struck again. Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to meet a Lookman corner, heading the ball home amid a crowded Tunisian box to make it 2-0.
In the 67th minute, Nigeria added a third through a perfectly worked team goal. Alex Iwobi played a weighted through-pass to Osimhen, who was charging into the area.
The Galatasaray man had a look at goal but instead unselfishly laid it off to Lookman in space. Lookman controlled the ball, dropped his shoulder to deceive his marker, and struck a venomous left-footed shot.
The Tunisian keeper got a touch, but the power carried the ball off the inside of the post and into the net.
After the third goal, it seemed the job was done. However, Nigeria took their foot off the pedal, allowing the Carthage Eagles to grow into the game.
Tunisia took charge for the final 20 minutes, pulling one back in the 74th minute when Montassar Talbi flicked a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick into the net.
Drama ensued in the 87th minute when referee Boubou Traore awarded Tunisia a contentious penalty after a VAR review.
Ali Abdi stepped up and sent Stanley Nwabali the wrong way to make it 3-2. Tunisia nearly snatched an equalizer in the dying seconds of stoppage time, but Ferjani Sassi’s header missed the target by just a few inches.
HIGHLIGHTS: 3-2
Nigeria with a hard-earned win against Tunisia in the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025. pic.twitter.com/hTrfdaKR9X
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 28, 2025
Super Eagles Through to the Knockouts
Following this victory, the Super Eagles have officially sealed their spot in the Round of 16 with a game to spare.
The win takes Nigeria to six points, a tally that neither Uganda nor Tanzania can reach after picking up only one point each from their first two games.
Nigeria’s final group game is against Uganda, where even a draw would be enough to see them finish as winners of Group C.
