Nigeria secured a hard-fought passage to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco, holding off a late Tunisian surge to win their Group C encounter 3-2 in Fes. The three-time Afcon winners, who were runners-up in 2023, guaranteed top spot in their group with a game to spare, becoming the second team after Egypt to reach the knockout stage on Saturday, December 27, 2025.

The Super Eagles appeared to be cruising, establishing a commanding three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining. Victor Osimhen opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time, expertly heading home from Ademola Lookman's left-wing cross after an earlier Osimhen goal was disallowed for offside. Nigeria doubled their advantage early in the second half when captain Wilfred Ndidi scored his first international goal, rising highest to power in a header from Lookman's corner. Osimhen then teed up former England youth international Lookman for Nigeria's third, seemingly putting the match beyond doubt.

However, the Carthage Eagles mounted a spirited comeback that turned the comfortable lead into a nervy finish for coach Eric Chelle and Nigerian supporters. Montassar Talbi headed in from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick to pull one goal back for Tunisia. The North Africans were then handed a lifeline after a video assistant referee (VAR) review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel from a looping cross. Malian referee Boubou Traore awarded a spot-kick, which Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute, setting up a frantic finale.

Tunisia pressed intensely for an equalizer in the seven minutes of added time. Captain Ferjani Sassi came agonizingly close, heading narrowly wide, and substitute Ismael Gharbi also bobbled a volley past the post, but Nigeria ultimately held on for the crucial victory.

With this win, Nigeria moves to six points at the top of Group C. Tunisia remains on three points, while Uganda and Tanzania are on one point apiece after their 1-1 draw earlier on Saturday. Tunisia is still well-placed to join Nigeria in the next round, with a draw against Tanzania being enough to progress. Nigeria will remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday (16:00 GMT), while Tunisia will return to Rabat to face Tanzania concurrently. Their manager, Sami Trabelsi, will be keen to avoid a repeat of the 2013 Afcon, when a group-stage exit led to his resignation.