Nigeria's Super Eagles secured an early qualification for the knockout rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Tunisia in a pulsating Group C encounter held at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, Morocco. The match, a renewal of an enduring African football rivalry, saw Nigeria move to the top of Group C with six points, ensuring their progression with a game to spare.

The Super Eagles, led by head coach Eric Chelle, made two changes from their opening match against Tanzania, bringing in Frank Onyeka and Bruno Onyemachi. The starting lineup featured Stanley Nwabali in goal, a defensive pairing of Semi Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, with Bright Osayi-Samuel and Onyemachi at full-back. The midfield was anchored by captain Wilfred Ndidi alongside Onyeka and Alex Iwobi, while Victor Osimhen led the attack, supported by Ademola Lookman and Akor Adams.

The game began with a nervy exchange, but Nigeria gradually asserted dominance. Despite an early Osimhen goal being disallowed for offside, the Super Eagles continued to press. The breakthrough came just before halftime when Ademola Lookman delivered a precise cross that Victor Osimhen powerfully headed into the net, ending his tournament goal drought and giving Nigeria a 1-0 lead.

Nigeria carried this momentum into the second half. Five minutes after the restart, Wilfred Ndidi doubled the lead, heading home from a Lookman corner for his first-ever international goal in his 73rd appearance. The Super Eagles’ high-press philosophy, central to Chelle's strategy, suffocated Tunisia's build-up and kept them pinned deep. The pressure paid off again in the 71st minute when Alex Iwobi's neat pass found Osimhen, who squared it for Lookman to fire in Nigeria's third, making it 3-0 and seemingly sealing the victory.

However, the match took a dramatic turn as Tunisia refused to surrender. They pulled one back in the 74th minute through Montassar Talbi's header, catching Stanley Nwabali off-guard. A controversial VAR-awarded penalty for a handball against Bright Osayi-Samuel further fueled Tunisia's comeback, which Ali Abdi confidently converted in the 87th minute, setting up a tense 3-2 finale. Coach Chelle expressed confusion over the penalty decision, stating, “I don’t know the rules.”

The late Tunisian surge exposed defensive fragilities within the Super Eagles squad, a concern highlighted by Kenneth Omeruo, who urged Chelle to work on the team’s “leaky defence.” Former Nigeria U23 goalkeeper, Emmanuel Babayaro, also criticized Nwabali, branding him as