“Frank played a huge role” – Nantes star singles out Brentford midfielder after tense Tunisia win

Brentford star Frank Onyeka was exceptional in Super Eagles of Nigeria’s clash with Tunisia, which has earned high praise from Nantes…

Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem has praised Frank Onyeka following Nigeria’s hard-fought 3–2 victory over Tunisia at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng exclusively reports. 

Nigeria booked their place in the Round of 16 with a game to spare after edging the Carthage Eagles in a pulsating Group C encounter at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, with Onyeka playing a key role in the heart of midfield.

Onyeka: Awaziem on Brentford star's performance

Speaking after the match, Awaziem, who currently plays for French side Nantes FC, singled out Onyeka for special praise.

“Exceptional. I mean, we all know that Frank [Onyeka] is an exceptional player, so, he did all he had to [do] to help the team, and I think he came out well because he was pretty, really, really good in the midfield.” Awaziem told Soccernet.ng.

“He recovered a lot of balls. He distributed very good, and, I mean, not just him but the team, but yeah, I mean he played a huge role in the victory”

Watch Awaziem's comment on Brentford's Frank Onyeka here:

 

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Onyeka’s inclusion in Eric Chelle’s starting XI, following a tactical reshuffle that saw Nigeria switch to a three-man midfield, proved decisive as the Super Eagles dominated large spells of the contest.

Frank Onyeka’s numbers vs Tunisia

Onyeka backed up Awaziem’s praise with a disciplined performance that showed his importance to Nigeria’s balance in midfield.

The Brentford midfielder played 79 minutes, recording 93% pass accuracy, with an impressive 94% of his passes completed in the opposition half. He also attempted one shot and completed 50% of his long balls.

Defensively, Onyeka was just as influential, registering seven defensive contributions, including one tackle won, four interceptions, two recoveries, and two clearances, which helped the team maintain control before Tunisia’s late resurgence.

What happened against Tunisia

Nigeria took charge of the game early and went into the break with a deserved 1–0 lead through Victor Osimhen, who headed home Ademola Lookman’s pinpoint cross in the 44th minute.

The Super Eagles extended their advantage shortly after the restart when Wilfred Ndidi powered in a header from a Lookman corner, before Lookman himself capped a superb team move with a fierce left-footed strike to make it 3–0.

Tunisia, however, mounted a late comeback. Montassar Talbi pulled one back in the 74th minute, before Ali Abdi converted a controversial late penalty to set up a nervy finish.

However, Nigeria’s attacking depth was on full display against Tunisia, with Ademola Lookman contributing two assists and a goal. When asked how important it is for the Super Eagles to have multiple players capable of making a difference in the final third, Awaziem emphasised the team’s collective approach.

“I mean, it shows that we're collective, we work hard, and it shows that the quality of the players individually and as a team. So I think, everyone just do their best and, just try to make, the team win. I think that's the most important for the team first before individual performance, but I think with the qualities everyone has, I think this team can go really far.”

Despite the pressure, Nigeria held firm to secure the win, moving to six points and sealing qualification for the knockout stage ahead of their final group game against Uganda.