Post by : Meena Ariff

Victor Osimhen delivered a commanding performance as Nigeria secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Tunisia to become the second team to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage after Egypt. The high-intensity Group C clash was played in Fes and lived up to its billing with a late Tunisian surge testing the Super Eagles’ resolve.

Nigeria appeared firmly in control for much of the match, racing into a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Osimhen, captain Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman. The Super Eagles dominated the early exchanges, showing a sharp contrast to their narrow opening-game win over Tanzania.

Osimhen, wearing his trademark protective mask, was a constant threat in the air. He narrowly missed with two early headers before seeing a goal ruled out for offside. Tunisia struggled to cope with Nigeria’s pressing and physical presence, particularly during the opening half hour.

The breakthrough came just before halftime when Lookman delivered a pinpoint cross that Osimhen powered home with a towering header, giving Nigeria a deserved lead.

Five minutes after the restart, Nigeria doubled their advantage. Once again, Lookman was the creator, swinging in a corner that Ndidi met with a commanding header to score his first international goal.

The third goal arrived in the 67th minute when Osimhen turned provider, setting up Lookman, who controlled calmly inside the box before firing the ball off the post and into the net.

Tunisia mounted a late comeback, refusing to surrender. Montassar Talbi headed in from a free-kick with 16 minutes remaining to spark hope. The pressure intensified when Ali Abdi converted a penalty following a VAR review that ruled a Nigerian handball.

With seven minutes of stoppage time added, Tunisia pushed hard for an equaliser. Captain Ferjani Sassi narrowly missed with a header, while substitute Ismael Gharbi fired just wide in the dying moments. Nigeria held firm to seal the win.

The result leaves Nigeria top of Group C with six points, Tunisia on three, while Uganda and Tanzania have one point each heading into the final round of matches.

Earlier in the day, Uganda and Tanzania played out a dramatic 1-1 draw. Uganda missed a golden chance to secure victory when Allan Okello sent a late penalty over the bar after Uche Ikpeazu had cancelled out Simon Msuva’s earlier spot-kick.

The draw keeps both East African sides’ qualification hopes hanging by a thread, with decisive group matches set to take place next.

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