AFCON 2025: Three Tunisia threats the Super Eagles must stop

Nigeria’s second group game at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations comes on Saturday as the Super Eagles face Tunisia in what is widely regarded as the defining fixture of Group C.

Both sides opened their campaigns with victories, Nigeria grinding out a 2–1 win over Tanzania, Tunisia strolling to a confident 3–1 success against Uganda, and both harbour realistic ambitions of topping the group.

History only sharpens the edge. Nigeria and Tunisia are former African champions, bound together by shared AFCON memories, none more poignant than 1994, when Nigeria lifted their second continental crown on Tunisian soil.

Yet this rivalry is delicately poised: Tunisia have seven wins to Nigeria’s six, with eight draws in 21 meetings, and it was Tunisia who had the last word, eliminating Nigeria at AFCON 2021 courtesy of a Youssef Msakni strike.

For Nigeria, the task is to avoid another painful defeat and to do that, the Super Eagles must first neutralise Tunisia’s most dangerous weapons.

Three players in particular stand out as genuine game-changers.

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Tunisian threat: Elias Achouri

Tunisia arrived in Morocco with familiar faces in attack, but it took Elias Achouri just one matchday to announce himself as the Eagles of Carthage’s leading threat.

The FC Copenhagen forward was devastating against Uganda, scoring twice in the 3–1 victory with finishes that highlighted his sharp instincts and economy of movement. Achouri does not overpower defenders; instead, he unsettles them. He drifts quietly between centre-backs, waits for the smallest lapse in concentration, then strikes.

At 26, Achouri combines composure with hunger. His timing inside the box is outstanding, and his ability to attack space rather than simply occupy it makes him especially dangerous against teams that defend deep or switch off momentarily.

Already among the early top scorers at the tournament, he will relish any opportunity Nigeria give him.

For Nigeria’s back line, communication and positional discipline will be non-negotiable. Ignore Achouri, even briefly, and punishment is likely.

Ellyes Skhiri

If Achouri is Tunisia’s blade, Ellyes Skhiri is the hand that guides it.

The Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder is the heartbeat of this Tunisian side, providing balance, control and authority from the centre of the pitch.

Against Uganda, Skhiri set the tone by opening the scoring, his fourth international goal, before calmly dictating the rhythm of the contest.

With 75 caps, two World Cups and two AFCON tournaments behind him, Skhiri brings experience that Nigeria must respect.

A product of Montpellier, polished in the Bundesliga with Köln and Frankfurt, the 30-year-old understands when to press, when to slow the game, and when to break forward.

For Nigeria, the battle in midfield may well decide the match. Allow Skhiri too much time on the ball, and Tunisia will control tempo and territory.

Hannibal Mejbri

Hannibal Mejbri is Tunisia’s wildcard; a midfielder who thrives on chaos and intensity.

Now with Burnley in the Premier League, Mejbri’s football education at Monaco and Manchester United is evident in his confidence on the ball, while his edge comes from a fierce competitive streak. Against Uganda, he earned his 40th cap and was among Tunisia’s standout performers, supplying an assist and pressing relentlessly.

Mejbri covers ground aggressively, presses without hesitation and is always willing to drop deep to disrupt opponents. His dynamism can unsettle structured midfields and force mistakes in tight areas, something Nigeria experienced in their opener against Tanzania.

Stopping Mejbri will require discipline and composure. He thrives when games become frantic.

Nigeria’s match against Tunisia will take place at the Complexe Sportif de Fes with kick-off set at 9 pm (Nigerian time).