By Frank Ulom
RABAT (CONVERSEER) – The Super Eagles of Nigeria have defeated The Eagles of Carthage of Tunisia to reach the round 16 of the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) currently being held in Morocco.
The match, which saw 5 goals scored by both sides at the Fez Stadium on Saturday, has been adjudged one of the best matches of the tournament so far.
Nigeria started on a bright note, threatening the Tunisian side on several occasions, with their star man, Victor Osimhen, rising to the occasion to head home Ademola Lookman’s cross in the 44th minute to make it 1-nil.
The Super Eagles then added a second, five minutes after the restart, as Wilfred Ndidi met Lookman’s corner with a thumping header to make it 2-nil.
Lookman, with a man-of-the-match performance, made it 3-nil, calmly slotting home Osimhen’s cut back, following a fine move from Alex Iwobi in the 67th minute.
The game looked like it was going to be a walkover for Nigeria until Tunisia pulled one back from Montassar Talbi, who darted in between the Super Eagles’ defence to head Hannibal Mejbris cross to make it 3-1 in the 74th minute.
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The goal changed the atmosphere, with Tunisian fans raising their voices in support of their players. The Eagles of Carthage controversially won a penalty after the referee, after review from VAR, pointed to the spot. Ali Abdi stepped up in the 87th minute and hammered home past Stanley Nwabali to make it 3-2.
The tempo and atmosphere changed, and both sides had chances to score, but Nigeria held firm to win the game 3-2, moving ahead of Tunisia in Group C, automatically qualifying for the knockout stage.
