The Super Eagles reach the round of 16

Nigeria qualified for the round of 16 African Cup of Nations as they won a thrilling encounter against Tunisia 3-2 in Fez.

The Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup stands in stark contrast to the fate of Tunisia, who clinched their place in the final in North America without conceding a goal.

Yet the Group C clash between two traditional African heavyweights produced a gripping, goal-laden affair, which Nigeria appeared to have completely in control after Victor Osimhen, Wilfried Ndidi and the excellent Ademola Lookman gave them a 3-0 lead.

Tunisia, however, showed great resilience, with Montassar Talbi pulling a goal back before Ali Abdi’s penalty paved the way for a grandstand finish, but Nigeria held on to pick up six points from two matches.

Nigeria takes charge

Nigeria were the better team throughout the first half, although Osimhen’s profligacy was a frustration for the Super Eagles early on.

He headed narrowly towards a right-wing cross from Akor Adams before missing a more difficult chance with another header off target.

Osimhen put the ball in the back of the net in the 18th minute, but only after clearly moving away from the play as Nigeria struggled to make their superiority pay.

Tunisia looked to be progressing in the match as the half wore on, but fell behind in the 44th minute when a superb cross from the left by Ademola Lookman got the goal he deserved from Osimhen, whose header at the far post proved too strong for Aymen Dahmen.

Dahmen were beaten again five minutes into the second half, with Ndidi rising to respond to Lookman’s outstanding delivery from a corner and doubling the Super Eagles’ advantage.

The game seemed beyond doubt when Osimhen surged down the right and pulled the ball back for Lookman, who showed great patience and composure to get past a defender before unleashing a point-blank shot that Dahmen could only hit the post.

Tunisia is not coming back up to par

Yet Tunisia came back to life after being 3-0 down, and Talbi gave them hope of a remarkable comeback in the 74th minute.

The Lorient defender responded to Hannibal Mejbri’s free kick with a powerful header into the right corner, and Nigeria’s nerves were still straining three minutes from the end of normal time.

Bright Osayi-Samuel was hit on the arm by a ball in the box as he struggled with an attacker and, after being sent to the pitch monitor, referee Boubou Traoré pointed to the spot.

Ali Abdi made no mistake with an emphatic penalty, but Tunisia were unable to make the most of the extra seven minutes, Ferjani Sassi twice going agonizingly close as Nigeria hung on to progress.