Nigeria 3–2 Tunisia
Nigeria booked their place in the AFCON 2025 last 16 in nerve-shredding fashion, edging past a relentless Tunisian side in a dramatic Group C encounter that swung wildly from total control to near calamity.
For long spells, Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles looked every inch tournament favourites. Then, in a chaotic final ten minutes, they looked anything but.
Nigeria began with purpose and authority, dictating the tempo and pinning Tunisia deep inside their own half. The early pressure paid off as the Super Eagles found the breakthrough, settling any early nerves and asserting dominance.
With confidence flowing, Nigeria continued to probe, pressing high and moving the ball sharply through midfield. Tunisia struggled to cope with the pace and physicality, and the warning signs were clear.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Nigeria pressed, Tunisia retreated, and the goals followed.
Ademola Lookman doubled the advantage with a composed finish, capitalising on Nigeria’s sustained pressure and leaving Tunisia reeling. Moments later, Wilfred Ndidi made it three, arriving at the right moment to deliver what appeared to be the knockout blow.
At 3–0, with just under twenty minutes remaining, the match looked done and dusted. Nigeria were cruising. Tunisia were shell-shocked.
But football rarely follows the script.
Out of almost nothing, Tunisia found a lifeline. A seemingly harmless free kick caused confusion in the Nigerian box, and Talbi’s effort crept in to reduce the deficit. It was an innocuous goal — but it changed everything.
Suddenly, belief surged through the Tunisian ranks.
Wave after wave of attacks followed, and Nigeria’s composure began to crack. The pressure finally told in the 87th minute when Tunisia were awarded a penalty. Abdi stepped up and converted calmly, setting up a frantic finale.
From 3–0 up, Nigeria were now clinging to a 3–2 lead.
Tunisia threw everyone forward, urged on by a roaring crowd sensing a remarkable comeback. Crosses rained into the Nigerian penalty area, and hearts were firmly in mouths.
The clearest chance fell to captain Sassi in stoppage time. Rising to meet a looping cross, he attempted to guide his header into the far corner. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was rooted — beaten.
But fortune favoured Nigeria.
The ball dropped inches wide of the post, and Nwabali could only watch in relief as Tunisia’s golden opportunity slipped away.
Missed Chance to Kill It Off
There was still time for one final twist. Nigeria broke forward on the counter, and substitute Chidera Ejuke found space down the right. Bursting into the box with Victor Osimhen in support, Ejuke went for glory.
His shot, however, was too central and lacked power, allowing Dahmen to save comfortably — a missed chance to end the drama once and for all.
Full-Time Relief for Nigeria
The final whistle brought relief rather than celebration for Nigeria. What should have been a routine win turned into a tense survival act, but the Super Eagles did just enough.
The victory confirms Nigeria as Group C winners and secures safe passage into the knockout stages. It also served as a stark reminder: on their day, Nigeria can overwhelm any opponent — but lapses in concentration could yet prove costly.
For now, though, the points are secured, the qualification is confirmed, and Nigeria march on — bruised, breathless, but still standing.
