Nigeria survive late scare to edge Tunisia in five-goal AFCON thriller

Victor Osimhen opened the scoring at Fez Stadium on 44 minutes before Wilfred Ndidi found the target five minutes into the second half.

Ademola Lookman added to the scoreline when he fired in on 67 minutes but the deficit was reduced when Montassar Talbi pulled a goal back after 74 minutes and again through an 87th minute Ali Al-Abdi penalty.

The Super Eagles ultimately held on for all three points to sit top of their group standings with maximum points from two games.

The Carthage Eagles ended the evening in second place with three points, while Tanzania and Uganda both have a point apiece.

Eric Chelle's side failed to qualify for next year's World Cup and despite their late scare in this game, were worthy winners after an otherwise impressive outing - to build on their 2-1 win over Tanzania.

Osimhen was first with an opportunity to open the scoring after just five minutes, but he blasted his effort over the crossbar.

The Galatasaray striker then headed over an excellent cross from Akor Adams before the same player set up Frank Onyeka with 15 minutes on the clock, but the Brentford attacker failed to make a real connection on the ball.

Hazem Mastouri threatened at the other end before being forced away from goal, while Onyeka was well placed to clear a menacing cross from Al-Abdi that only needed a touch.

But Nigeria's superiority told as Osimhen broke the deadlock with a powerful header from a Lookman cross to send the ball beyond Tunisia goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen.

A Lookman corner in the 50th minute then gave the Super Eagles a significant advantage at the start of the second half as Ndidi rose highest to head home.

And they were not done scoring as Lookman then got in on the act, with just over 20 minutes of the match remaining, when he slotted home a Osimhen delivery, at the second attempt.

With the result seemingly secured, Nigeria may just have taken their foot off the gas by allowing Talbi to get on the end of a dangerous Hannibal Mejbri freekick to head past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Tunisia then further reduced the score from the penalty spot after Osayi-Samuel was adjudged by VAR to have handled the ball in the box.

Al-Abdi fired past Nwabali to set up a nervy end to the game, but Nigeria held on for all three points and their place in the last 16 of AFCON 2025.