Nigeria Survive Late Tunisia Comeback to Seal AFCON 2025 Last-16 Spot (Video)

• The Super Eagles booked their place in the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after holding off a dramatic late fightback from Tunisia in a tense Group C clash in Fes.

Nigeria held off a spirited late comeback from Tunisia to secure qualification for the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, winning a pulsating Group C encounter in Fes.

The Super Eagles looked to be cruising after taking a commanding 3–0 lead with 17 minutes remaining. Victor Osimhen opened the scoring, while Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman added further goals to put Nigeria firmly in control.

However, Tunisia mounted a dramatic late resurgence. Montassar Talbi headed home from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick to reduce the deficit, before the Carthage Eagles were awarded a penalty following a VAR review for a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi converted from the spot in the 87th minute to set up a tense finale.

Tunisia came agonisingly close to completing the comeback in stoppage time when captain Ferjani Sassi headed narrowly wide, while Ismael Gharbi also missed a late chance as Nigeria clung on for victory.

The win takes three-time AFCON champions Nigeria to six points, guaranteeing them top spot in Group C with a game to spare. The Super Eagles will now face a third-placed team from Group A, B, or F in the knockout stage.

Tunisia remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania on one point each after the East African sides played out a 1–1 draw earlier on Saturday. Nigeria will stay in Fes to face Uganda on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to Rabat to take on Tanzania.

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Earlier in the match, Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, rising above two defenders to guide a header into the bottom corner from Lookman’s precise cross. Nigeria doubled their lead shortly after the break as Ndidi headed in from Lookman’s corner to score his first international goal.

Osimhen later turned provider, setting up Lookman for Nigeria’s third, before Tunisia’s late surge turned what had seemed a comfortable win into a nervy finish.

AFCON runners-up in 2023, Nigeria join Egypt as the second team to qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament. While the Super Eagles celebrated progression, the narrow escape will give coach Eric Chelle and fans plenty to reflect on ahead of the business end of the competition.

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Nigeria with a hard-earned win against Tunisia in the #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025. pic.twitter.com/hTrfdaKR9X— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) December 28, 2025