AFCON: Nigeria Edge Tunisia 3-2 as Lookman Inspires Super Eagles to Knockout Stage
Ademola Lookman delivered a standout performance as Nigeria edged Tunisia 3-2 to secure qualification for the AFCON round of 16, ending a three-game winless streak against the Eagles of Carthage.
The match began at a high tempo, though clear chances were limited early on. Hannibal Mejbri hurried an effort for Tunisia, while Victor Osimhen missed two headed opportunities from promising positions inside the opening 11 minutes. Osimhen then saw a close-range finish ruled out for offside after reacting quickest to Akor Adams’ saved shot.
Nigeria gradually asserted control, even if the scoreboard did not immediately reflect it. Osimhen again headed wide from a Calvin Bassey cross, while Tunisia signaled intent when Ali Abdi fired over Stanley Nwabali’s bar. Wilfred Ndidi responded with an effort that flew over at the other end.
The breakthrough came in the 44th minute when Lookman’s precise delivery found Osimhen, who broke free from Montassar Talbi to power a header home and celebrate with visible relief.
The Super Eagles carried that momentum into the second half and doubled their lead within five minutes. Ndidi rose to meet Lookman’s corner, nodding in his first goal for Nigeria. Lookman then tested the defense himself as Tunisian frustration grew, worsened by Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane leaving the pitch injured after a collision with Nwabali.
Nigeria struck again in the 67th minute through a slick attacking move. Lookman danced past Yan Valery and finished clinically, despite defenders racing back toward the goal line.
Tunisia mounted a late fightback. Talbi reduced the deficit by glancing Mejbri’s free-kick past Nwabali with 15 minutes remaining. The tension increased in the 87th minute when Bright Osayi-Samuel conceded a penalty for handball, which Abdi converted to make it 3-2.
Ferjani Sassi came close to completing the comeback, but his header drifted wide, allowing Nigeria to hold on. The result gives the Super Eagles seven wins from their last eight AFCON group-stage matches and confirms their place in the knockout rounds.
For Tunisia, the defeat ends a five-match unbeaten run, though they remain second in the group ahead of their clash with Tanzania.
