Nigeria delivered one of their strongest performances of the AFCON 2025 group stage with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tunisia, confirming their status as serious contenders in the tournament. Dominant for long stretches, the Super Eagles built a commanding lead before surviving a late Tunisian comeback.
Victor Osimhen opened the scoring just before halftime, finally finding the net after several near misses earlier in the competition. Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman added to Nigeria’s advantage in the second half, putting the team 3-0 ahead and seemingly in full control of the match.
Tunisia, however, refused to fold. Two late goals reduced the margin and turned the final minutes into a tense affair, but Nigeria held firm to secure all three points. The result guarantees the Super Eagles top spot in their group, regardless of the outcome of their final match against Uganda.
Osimhen’s goal was a significant moment, ending a long wait at the Africa Cup of Nations. Beyond scoring, the striker was heavily involved in Nigeria’s attacking play, showing improved link-up and unselfishness, particularly in his combination with Lookman.
Lookman was the standout performer on the night. Constantly on the move, he stretched Tunisia’s defense, delivered the cross for Osimhen’s opener, scored one goal himself and provided the corner that led to Ndidi’s header. His display earned him the match’s top individual honors and underlined his importance to the team.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi also made his mark, scoring his first international goal for Nigeria. Operating efficiently in midfield, he balanced defensive duties with leadership, continuing his strong start to the tournament as skipper.
Head coach Eric Sekou Chelle deserves credit for his tactical adjustments. By reinforcing midfield and opting for a flexible setup, Nigeria matched Tunisia’s intensity and pace, dominating possession and duels for much of the contest. While the late lapse in concentration will concern the coaching staff, the overall performance was highly encouraging.
With their attacking trio growing in confidence and cohesion, Nigeria head into the knockout stages with momentum and belief, having shown both quality and resilience against one of Africa’s toughest opponents.
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