Nigeria discomfited Tunisia 3-2 in their second Group C Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) 2025 match on Saturday 27 December, 2025 in Fes.
Turkish Süper Lig club, Galatasaray, striker, Victor Osimhen, had chances to score before finding the net for the Super Eagles in the 17th minute, which was immediately disallowed for offside by Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
The former SSC Napoli forward finally recorded his name on the score sheet in the 44th minute, perfectly converting Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman’s beautiful cross from the left with a header.
And for the first time ever since representing the Green and White in 2015, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi scored in the 50th minute to make it two for Nigeria with Lookman the provider once again.
Ndidi converted Lookman’s corner kick with a fine header to increase the margin against the North African side.
Osimhen then assisted Lookman, who netted the third for Nigeria in the 67th minute, firing from very close range; the ball bounced off the Tunisia goalkeeper’s chest and into the net.
But, the showdown turned around for the Carthage Eagles as they started to dominate, and pulled one back through Montassar Talbi in the 74th minute.
After VAR review, the Tunisians were awarded a penalty after right back, Bright Osayi-Samuel’s hand had contact with the ball; Ali Abdi wasted no time to blast the ball past Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, just three (3) minute to full time.
Abdi’s goal sparked wild celebrations in the stands of the Carthage Eagles supporters and it looked as though Tunisia would grab a point from the match, but, Nigeria held on and exited Fes Stadium with maximum points.
The Nigerians were stunning for over seventy (70) minutes in that match and showed exactly why they should be regarded genuine contenders for the AFCON title, but then showed in the last twenty (20) minutes the exact weakness that forced them to throw away the chance of a spot at next summer’s FIFA World Cup.
However, the Super Eagles should receive commendation for ultimately defending against the late pressure from the Tunisians, particularly considering the robust North African support in the stands.
Nigeria are Group C toppers with six (6) points while Tunisia are second with three (3) points; Tanzania and Uganda are third and fourth respectively with one (1) point each.
Result:
| Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) 2025 Group Stage – Saturday 27 December, 2025 |
| Uganda 1-1 Tanzania |
| Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia |
| Benin 1-0 Botswana |
| Senegal 1-1 DR Congo |
Next, Nigeria will play against Uganda on Tuesday 30 December, 2025 at 17:00 (WAT) while Tunisia will face Tanzania same day and same time, both games will take place in Fes and Rabat respectively.
Photo: Wilfred Ndidi celebrates after scoring his first wife goal for Nigeria since joining the Super Eagles in 2015 | Abdel Majid Bziouat/AFP
