Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia, AFCON 2025-26: Super Eagles Survive Late TUN Fightback

Victor Osimhen scored a rare Africa Cup of Nations goal and Nigeria booked its place in the knockout stage with an ultimately nervy 3-2 win over Tunisia on Saturday. The Super Eagles almost squandered a three-goal lead as Montassar Talbi pulled a goal back in the 74th minute and Ali Abdi converted a penalty in the 87th. Osimhen missed two good chances with headers early on as the Nigeria made a good start, but he finally made one count before the break with a header to Ademola Lookman’s cross. It was just Osimhen’s second Africa Cup goal in his career. Nigeria was cruising after the break when Lookman set up Wilfred Ndidi for the second goal, then Osimhen set up Lookman in the 67th.

Updated on: 28 December 2025 10:38 am

Nigeria's Ademola Lookman celebrates after scoring his side's third goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group C soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Fez, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Nigeria's Bright Osayi-Samuel, left, defends against Tunisia's Sebastian Tounekti during the Africa Cup of Nations group C soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Fez, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Morocco Africa Cup of Nations Soccer: Nigeria vs Tunisia

Tunisia's Hannibal Mejbri, center, is challenged by Nigeria's Wilfred Ndidi during the Africa Cup of Nations group C soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Fez, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Morocco Africa Cup of Nations Soccer: Tunisia vs Nigeria

Tunisia's supporters watch the Africa Cup of Nations group C soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Fez, Morocco,. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Africa Cup of Nations group C soccer match: Nigeria vs Tunisia

Nigeria's players celebrate a goal scored by their teammate Victor Osimhen during the Africa Cup of Nations group C soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Fez, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Africa Cup of Nations group C soccer match: Tunisia vs Nigeria

Nigeria's Akor Adams, left, battles for the ball with Tunisia's Yan Valery during the Africa Cup of Nations group C soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Fez, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Nigeria vs Tunisia Africa Cup of Nations 2025-26

Tunisia's goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, right, kicks the ball as Nigeria's Akor Adams tries to block the ball during the Africa Cup of Nations group C soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Fez, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Tunisia vs Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations 2025-26

Nigeria's Victor Osimhen, top, wins a header against Tunisia's Ferjani Sassi during the Africa Cup of Nations group C soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Fez, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Nigeria's Wilfred Ndidi, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group C soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Fez, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy

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Nigeria's Victor Osimhen reacts after scoring his side's first goal during the Africa Cup of Nations group C soccer match between Nigeria and Tunisia in Fez, Morocco. | Photo: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy