Nigeria book AFCON round of 16 spot with narrow 3-2 win against Tunisia | OneFootball

Nigeria have booked their spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) round of 16 following a mouth-watering 3-2 win against Tunisia.

Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman delivered a performance to remember as the Super Eagles came out on top in an end-to-end five-goal thriller.

The 2024 African Footballer of the Year played a direct role in all three Super Eagles goals, helping Nigeria claim their first win in three meetings with the Eagles of Carthage.

Both sides created decent chances in the opening period of the game. Tunisia’s Hannibal Mejbri rushed an early effort, while Victor Osimhen headed wide twice inside the opening 11 minutes. 

Osimhen thought he had broken the deadlock after slotting home a rebound from a saved Akor Adams shot, but his celebration was cut short by an offside flag.

Nigeria kept growing into the game, and Osimhen came close with another header from a Calvin Bassey cross.

The Galatasaray striker finally got on the score sheet when he headed home a pinpoint cross from Lookman on the stroke of half-time.

The Super Eagles carried that momentum into the second half and doubled their advantage just five minutes after the restart.

Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to head home a perfect delivery from Lookman, securing his first-ever goal for Nigeria.

The Super Eagles made it 3-0 in the 67th minute with a moment of real quality. 

Lookman picked up the ball, skipped past Yan Valery with ease, and finished calmly despite defenders scrambling back to the line. That should have sealed the result, but Tunisia refused to fold.

Montassar Talbi pulled one back by glancing Mejbri’s free-kick past Stanley Nwabali, and late drama followed when Bright Osayi-Samuel conceded a penalty. 

Ali Abdi converted confidently in the 87th minute, setting up a frantic finale. Ferjani Sassi came agonisingly close to equalising, but his header drifted narrowly wide.

Nigeria ultimately saw out the narrow win, extending their run of form to seven wins from their last eight AFCON group games.

Tunisia will be hoping to join the Super Eagles in the round of 16 when they face Tanzania in the final group game.