Nigeria appeared to have the game wrapped up with more than a quarter of an hour remaining, racing into a commanding 3-0 lead built on dominance, movement, and clinical moments in both boxes. For long spells, the Super Eagles showcased the poise and attacking balance expected of a three-time African champion and last year’s beaten finalists.
After a cautious opening win over Tanzania, head coach José Peseiro freshened his side with the introductions of Bruno Onyemaechi and Frank Onyeka, and the impact was immediate. Nigeria set the tempo early, pinning Tunisia deep and carving out chances almost at will. Victor Osimhen was central to everything, twice going close with headers and seeing yet another AFCON goal ruled out for offside after reacting quickest to a rebound.
Tunisia, sluggish and second-best in the opening exchanges, struggled to cope with Nigeria’s intensity. Osimhen continued to threaten, and his persistence was finally rewarded just before half-time when he guided Ademola Lookman’s cross into the net via the goalkeeper’s hand. It was a deserved breakthrough and a reminder of his importance to the Super Eagles’ attacking play.
The pattern barely changed after the interval. Nigeria pressed higher, moved the ball quicker, and doubled their advantage when captain Wilfred Ndidi rose to meet Lookman’s corner, scoring his first senior international goal on his 73rd appearance. With Osimhen and Lookman linking seamlessly, Tunisia appeared on the brink of collapse.
A controversial refereeing decision denied the North Africans a potential lifeline when advantage was not played following a foul, but Nigeria soon capitalised again. Ademola Lookman capped another slick team move by drilling a low finish off the post to make it 3-0, seemingly sealing progression in style.
What followed, however, was a dramatic shift. Tunisia refused to fold and pulled a goal back through Montassar Talbi’s free header, injecting belief and urgency into their play. The pressure intensified, and a VAR review led to a penalty for handball, calmly converted by Ali Abdi to reduce the deficit to one with minutes remaining.
The closing stages were frantic. Nigeria threatened on the counter, while Tunisia pushed numbers forward in search of an equaliser. Chances fell at both ends, including a near-miss header from Ferjani Sassi and a misfired volley from Ismael Gharbi, but the Super Eagles held firm through a tense period of stoppage time.
The victory guarantees Nigeria a place in the knockout rounds ahead of their final group match against Uganda, with a last-16 tie scheduled in Fez against a third-placed side from Groups A, B or F. Tunisia remain well positioned to progress, likely needing just a point against Tanzania to finish runners-up.
Elsewhere at the tournament, Benin celebrated their first-ever AFCON finals victory by edging Botswana, while Senegal and DR Congo shared the spoils in a lively draw. Tanzania were denied a historic win after Uganda struck late to claim a point in Rabat, underlining the fine margins that continue to define this year’s competition.