Nigeria vs Tunisia: composition, statistics and preview

Preview of the Nigeria-Tunisia match

Two teams who won on day one will face off tomorrow in Fez, with the winner knowing they will be all but assured of a place in the round of 16 of the tournament. African Cup of Nations.

Nigeria beat Tanzania while Tunisia beat Uganda 3-1 to take an early lead in Group C.

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is wary of the North Africans but says the most important thing is to stay focused on the bigger goal.

Chelle said: “This match is not going to be easy. Tunisia is a great team, and they have a lot of good players, experienced and young. They play well as a team. We want to win too, but the most important thing is to qualify from the group.”

His Tunisian counterpart Sami Trabelsi was also happy to praise the opposition ahead of one of the most important matches of the tournament so far.

He said: “Playing the second match after winning the first is certainly a great motivation for the players and gives them greater confidence. Tomorrow we will face one of the strongest national teams in Africa. We are determined to achieve a positive result which will help us qualify for the next round before the final group match against Tanzania.”

Tunisia have secured their place at next summer’s World Cup, unlike Nigeria, but Trabelsi insists this will have no impact on tomorrow’s match.

He added: “Our qualification for the World Cup and Nigeria’s failure to qualify does not give us any advantage. We do not deal with what-ifs. We deal with seriousness and focus in every match and against every opponent.”

Team news for Nigeria vs Tunisia

Trabelsi said Tunisia had no new injury problems and hinted they would start with the same XI.

“All the players are healthy and ready,” he said. “You don’t change a winning team.”

Victor Osimhen is in good form and will lead the line for Nigeria.

Line-up planned for the Nigeria-Tunisia match

Nigeria: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Zaire; Ndidi, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Lookman, Adams; Osimhen

Tunisia: Dahmen; Valéry, Bronn, Talbi, Abdi; Sassi, Skhiri, Mejbri; Achouri, Saad, Mastouri

How to watch Nigeria vs Tunisia: TV and online streams

Nigeria vs Tunisia kicks off on Saturday at 8pm UK time. In the UK, live CAN 2025 coverage is on Channel 4. In the United States, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.

Online live streaming is available on a wide range of devices via Channel 4 website and the beIN Sports app and app.

Statistics for Nigeria vs Tunisia

• Nigeria and Tunisia have already met six times in the final phase of the Africa Cup of Nations. Nigeria has recorded three wins to Tunisia’s only one, with two matches finishing tied in 2004 and 2006, both decided on penalties, one victory each.
• They met in the third-place play-off at CAN 2019, with Nigeria winning 1-0 thanks to an early goal from Odion Ighalo.