Nigeria have secured a place in the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations after a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Tunisia in a pulsating Group C clash played in Fes on Saturday.
The Super Eagles looked firmly in control for much of the encounter, storming into a commanding three-goal lead thanks to strikes from Ademola Lookman, captain Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Osimhen.
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Nigeria dominated the early proceedings and went into the break ahead before extending their advantage shortly after the restart. Ndidi doubled the lead with a powerful header from a corner kick, while Lookman made it 3–0 in the 67th minute, seemingly putting the contest beyond Tunisia’s reach.
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However, the Carthage Eagles mounted a spirited late fightback to turn the match into a tense finale. Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a headed goal from a free kick, before Ali Abdi converted a penalty following a VAR review for handball.
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Tunisia pressed relentlessly for an equaliser in stoppage time, but Nigeria’s defence stood firm to preserve the victory.
The result takes Nigeria to six points at the top of Group C, guaranteeing qualification for the knockout stage with one group match still to play. Tunisia, meanwhile, remain on three points ahead of the final round of group fixtures.