Ademola Lookman played a decisive role in all three Nigeria goals as the Super Eagles survived a late Tunisia fightback to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory, sealing their place in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) round of 16 and ending a three-match winless run against the Eagles of Carthage, Softfootball reports.
Nigeria came into the contest buoyed by a 2-1 win over Tanzania in their group opener, but the early stages were tightly contested. Chances were scarce at first, with Hannibal Mejbri snatching at an early effort for Tunisia, while Victor Osimhen headed wide twice inside the opening 11 minutes. The Napoli striker thought he had broken the deadlock soon after by reacting quickest to Akor Adams’ parried shot, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Despite that setback, the Super Eagles began to assert control. Osimhen again went close with a header from Calvin Bassey’s cross, while Wilfred Ndidi fired over from range. Tunisia briefly threatened through Ali Abdi, whose ambitious strike flew over Stanley Nwabali’s crossbar, but Nigeria finally got their reward just before the break.
In the 44th minute, Osimhen shrugged off Montassar Talbi and powered home a header from Lookman’s delivery, celebrating with visible relief as Nigeria took a deserved lead into HT.
Éric Chelle’s side carried that momentum into the second half and doubled their advantage within five minutes. Ndidi rose highest to meet another pinpoint Lookman corner, nodding in his first-ever goal for Nigeria. Lookman then threatened to get on the scoresheet himself as Tunisia struggled to cope, with frustrations growing after Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane was injured following a collision with Nwabali.
During the game, caf via its official X handle, shared the celebration of ndidi’s first goal for Nigeria at the afcon tournament. They posted:
Nigeria struck what looked to be a decisive third in the 67th minute. A swift attacking move ended with Lookman skipping past Yan Valery and finishing clinically despite desperate attempts to clear off the line. However, the game was far from over. Tunisia pulled one back with 15 minutes remaining when Talbi glanced Mejbri’s free-kick beyond Nwabali, before Abdi converted a late penalty after Bright Osayi-Samuel was penalised for handball, setting up a tense finale.
Ferjani Sassi came agonisingly close to an equaliser moments later, but his header drifted wide, allowing Nigeria to cling on. The result confirms the Super Eagles’ progression to the knockout stages and extends their strong AFCON group-stage record to seven wins from their last eight matches.
After the game, caf via its official X handle, shared the confirmation of the super eagles of Nigeria booking their spot in the round of 16. They posted:
It was a surprisingly high-scoring affair, especially after softfootball had predicted a cagey 1-1 draw in its pre-match preview. While Tunisia suffer a first defeat in five matches, they remain second in the group ahead of their clash with Tanzania, as Nigeria march on with growing confidence.
