AFCON 2025: Nigeria edge Tunisia in five-goal thriller to seal last-16 spot

Nigeria held off a late surge from Tunisia to claim a dramatic 3-2 victory in their Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash at Fez Stadium on Saturday, December 27.

The result sends the Super Eagles three points clear at the top of the group and into the knockout stages.

Eric Chelle’s men looked to be cruising after goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman fired them into a commanding 3-0 lead with just over 20 minutes to play.

This support. It's what the wins are for. 🇳🇬🤍#TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 | #WeCelebrateDifferent pic.twitter.com/n3jhqXe5w9

— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 27, 2025

Tunisia, however, refused to go quietly.

Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a header from a free-kick on 75 minutes, before Ali Abdi converted a late penalty three minutes from time to set up a nervy finale. Nigeria ultimately held firm, though, to secure the win.

The Super Eagles dominated the first half, with Osimhen threatening early before finally breaking the deadlock on 44 minutes, heading home Lookman’s lofted cross. Ndidi doubled the advantage five minutes into the second half with a powerful header from a corner, and Osimhen turned provider on 67 minutes, threading a superb pass for Lookman to tuck past Aymen Dahmen.

Tunisia’s late fightback nearly produced an equaliser in stoppage time when Ismael Gharbi volleyed narrowly wide, but Nigeria survived to clinch their ticket to the last 16.

Final Score

Nigeria (3): Osimhen 44’, Ndidi 50’, Lookman 67’

Tunisia (2): Talbi 75’, Abdi 87’ (PEN)

Line-ups

Nigeria: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyeka (Simon 79’), Ndidi, Iwobi; Lookman (Awaziem 90+1’), Osimhen, Adams (Ejuke 79’). Tunisia: Dahmen; Valery, Bronn, Talbi, Abdi; Sassi, Ben Romdhane (Tounekti 61’), Skhiri; Achouri (Gharbi 75’), Mastouri, Mejbri.