Nigeria’s Super Eagles are through to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tunisia in a match that saw a nervy finish. Despite leading 3-0 at one point, Nigeria had to withstand a late surge from the Carthage Eagles, who scored twice in the final 16 minutes to set up a tense finish. Ultimately, Nigeria held on to become the second team, after Egypt, to secure their place in the tournament’s knockout rounds.
A Dominant First Half
The match, held in Fes, Morocco, started off with Nigeria in complete control. From the outset, Victor Osimhen, the Super Eagles’ star forward, was exceptional, leading his team both in aerial duels and through precise finishing. It was clear from the first 30 minutes that Nigeria had come to play, dominating the Carthage Eagles from the start.
Osimhen, fresh off a stellar year, proved his worth early, though he was ruled offside after an early goal at the 17-minute mark. Despite this, he was a constant threat in the air and with his positioning. In the 44th minute, Osimhen broke the deadlock, heading in a perfect cross from Ademola Lookman, who had earlier provided a key assist.
Second Half: Nigeria Takes Control
The second half saw Nigeria extend their lead in style. Just five minutes into the second half, Wilfred Ndidi added to Nigeria’s tally, scoring his first international goal. This time, a Lookman corner was delivered perfectly to the Leicester midfielder, who rose above Tunisia’s defense to head in the second goal.
In the 67th minute, Lookman found the net himself. After Osimhen set him up in the box, Lookman controlled the ball with ease before blasting it into the net off the post, giving Nigeria a commanding 3-0 lead.
At this point, it seemed as though Nigeria had sealed the victory, and the Super Eagles appeared to be cruising into the knockout rounds. However, Tunisia had other plans.
Tunisia’s Late Fightback
With 16 minutes remaining, Tunisia managed to pull one back. A brilliant header from Montassar Talbi off a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick left Nigeria’s defense scrambling. The goal injected life into Tunisia, who were determined to at least salvage a point from the game.
Just three minutes later, Tunisia scored again, this time through Ali Abdi, who converted a penalty after Bright Samuel was judged to have handled the ball in the box. The penalty decision came after a VAR review, and the Carthage Eagles were back in the game, with the score now 3-2.
The tension was palpable as Tunisia pushed forward relentlessly during the final moments of the match. The seven minutes of added time only added to the drama, with Tunisia coming agonizingly close to equalizing. A header from Ferjani Sassi, Tunisia’s captain, was narrowly wide, and a shot from Ismael Gharbi, a substitute, was also just off target.
Nigeria Holds On
Despite Tunisia’s efforts and their near-miss chances in added time, Nigeria held firm, securing a much-needed 3-2 win to advance to the next round. The Super Eagles finished the group stages with six points, behind Egypt, who topped the group with seven points. Tunisia and Tanzania, who have one point each, will now fight it out for the final qualification spot in the group.
The victory was particularly significant for Nigeria, who had initially struggled in their opening match against Tanzania, barely edging out a win. However, the performance against Tunisia showed their true potential and improved greatly in comparison.
Osimhen’s Standout Performance
Victor Osimhen’s performance was undoubtedly the highlight of the match. The Napoli striker was involved in all three of Nigeria’s goals, and his influence was felt throughout the match. His leadership, combined with his ability to find space in the air, created problems for Tunisia‘s defense, which failed to contain him despite their best efforts.
Not only did Osimhen score, but he also helped create chances for his teammates. His partnership with Lookman in attack seemed to be a key factor in Nigeria’s success, and their chemistry could prove pivotal as the team progresses further in the competition.
Group C Final Standings
With the final round of group matches yet to be played, here’s how Group C stands:
- Nigeria – 6 points
- Tunisia – 3 points
- Tanzania – 1 point
- Uganda – 1 point
The final round of matches will determine who joins Nigeria and Egypt in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages.
Nigeria’s 3-2 victory over Tunisia in Fes was a thrilling match that showcased both the attacking brilliance of Victor Osimhen and the resilience of the Super Eagles. Despite a late scare from Tunisia, Nigeria held on to become the second team to qualify for the AFCON knockout stages, following Egypt. With their performance improving after a shaky start to the tournament, Nigeria will now look ahead to the knockout stages with confidence. However, Tunisia’s late rally and their strong performance in the second half show that they will not go down easily, and their fate still lies in their hands in the final group game.
Looking Forward
As the tournament progresses, Nigeria’s focus will be on maintaining their momentum while ensuring their defense remains solid. The knockout rounds will bring tougher challenges, but with players like Osimhen leading the charge, Nigeria could be poised for a deep run in the tournament. For now, they can savor their qualification and look forward to what lies ahead in AFCON 2025.
