Tunisia missed a precious opportunity on Saturday at the Grand Stade de Fez. Opposed to the Super Eagles of Nigeria, the Carthage Eagles lost (2-3) after a two-sided match, during the 2025 African Cup of Nations.
Undivided Nigerian domination
For more than 70 minutes, Nigeria dictated the tempo. Very high, very intense, ultra-effective in the duels, the favorite of the group stifled an overly cautious Tunisian selection, penalized by a resolutely defensive tactical choice. The sanction fell just before the break: forgotten in the area, Victor Osimhen opened the scoring with a header (44th).
When we returned from the locker room, the same scene repeated itself. From a set piece, Wilfred Ndidi doubled the lead (50th), before Ademola Lookman increased the score, taking advantage of Tunisian defensive generosity (67th).
The Tunisian awakening, too late
Trailing 0-3, Tunisia has finally changed its face. The offensive choices freed up the game and gave some momentum to a team that had been muzzled for a long time. Montassar Talbi reduced the gap with a header (74th), then Ali Abdi converted a penalty (87th), completely restarting the match.
In the final minutes, Hannibal Mejbri’s partners pushed, made Nigeria doubt and showed that they had the means to compete. But the surge came too late to reverse the result.
A qualification still to be obtained
Thanks to this success, Nigeria secures the lead of the group and validates its ticket for the round of 16. Tunisia, for its part, fell to second place, three points behind its opponent of the day. Sami Trabelsi’s men will play for their future next Tuesday, at 5:00 p.m., against Tanzania: a victory will be imperative to continue the continental adventure.
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