Nigeria booked their place in the AFCON round of 16 with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tunisia, thanks to a dominant display from Ademola Lookman, who played a role in all three goals and helped end a three-match winless run against the Eagles of Carthage.
The game opened with plenty of energy but few clear chances. Hannibal Mejbri snatched at an early opportunity for Tunisia, while Victor Osimhen failed to convert two early headers despite finding space in the box. Osimhen’s frustration continued when he reacted quickest to Akor Adams’ saved effort, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Nigeria gradually imposed themselves on the contest, controlling possession and territory. Osimhen again went close with a header from Calvin Bassey’s cross, while Tunisia responded through Ali Abdi, whose long-range effort flew just over Stanley Nwabali’s crossbar. Wilfred Ndidi also tried his luck from distance but missed the target.
The breakthrough finally arrived just before halftime. Lookman delivered a dangerous cross that Osimhen met with a powerful header, breaking free from Montassar Talbi to give Nigeria a deserved lead in the 44th minute.
The Super Eagles picked up where they left off after the break and doubled their advantage within five minutes. Ndidi rose highest to head home Lookman’s corner, scoring his first goal for Nigeria. Lookman remained a constant threat and nearly added his own goal as Tunisia struggled to regain composure, further disrupted by an injury to Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane after a collision with Nwabali.
Nigeria’s third goal came in the 67th minute following a swift attacking move. Lookman skipped past Yan Valery and finished calmly despite Tunisian defenders rushing back toward the goal line.
Tunisia mounted a late comeback attempt, pulling one back when Talbi glanced Mejbri’s free-kick past Nwabali with 15 minutes remaining. The pressure intensified in the 87th minute when Bright Osayi-Samuel conceded a penalty for handball, which Abdi converted to reduce the deficit to 3-2.
Ferjani Sassi came agonisingly close to equalising late on, but his header drifted wide, allowing Nigeria to hold firm. The win extends Nigeria’s strong AFCON group-stage record, with seven victories from their last eight matches, and secures their place in the knockout phase.
Tunisia’s unbeaten run of five matches comes to an end, though they remain second in the group ahead of their final fixture against Tanzania.
