Super Eagles Soar Into AFCON Knockouts After Five-Goal Thriller Against Tunisia

Nigeria’s Super Eagles became the second team to secure a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Tunisia on Saturday night. The high-stakes Group C encounter at the Fez Stadium saw Nigeria nearly surrender a three-goal lead before surviving a frantic late onslaught from the Eagles of Carthage.

The victory moves Nigeria to six points from two matches, guaranteeing progress alongside record-winners Egypt. Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman all found the net for the Super Eagles, who appeared to be cruising before Tunisia’s Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi sparked a nervy finale.

The breakthrough arrived in the 44th minute when Victor Osimhen ended his brief goal drought. The Galatasaray striker rose highest at the back post to meet a pinpoint cross from Ademola Lookman, powering a header beyond Tunisian goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen.

Nigeria carried that momentum into the second half, doubling their advantage in the 50th minute. Captain Wilfred Ndidi soared above the Tunisian defence to head home a Lookman corner, marking his first-ever international goal for Nigeria. The Super Eagles seemed to have put the game beyond reach in the 67th minute when Lookman finished a swift attacking move with a clinical strike off the post.

However, Tunisia refused to capitulate. Head coach Sami Trabelsi saw his side respond in the 75th minute. Defender Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a glancing header that caught Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali off guard.

The tension escalated in the 87th minute when a VAR review penalised Bright Osayi-Samuel for a handball in the box. Ali Abdi stepped up and thrashed the resulting penalty into the top corner, cutting the deficit to a single goal and setting up seven minutes of agonising stoppage time.

Tunisia nearly found a dramatic equaliser deep into added time when Ferjani Sassi’s header flashed inches wide of the post. Despite the late scare, Nigeria held firm to record their second straight win of the tournament.

Tunisia remains on three points and will likely need a result in their final group match to ensure qualification. Nigeria will conclude their group stage campaign against Uganda on Tuesday, December 30, while Tunisia faces Tanzania on the same day.