Africa Cup of Nations – Lookman scores and assists, Osimhen braces as Nigeria defeats Tunisia to advance to the Round of 16

In the second round of the group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, Nigeria defeated Tunisia 3-2. With their second consecutive win, they secured first place in Group C and advanced to the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations for the 44th time.

In the match against Tunisia, Nigeria dominated from the start. In the 9th minute, Akor Adams crossed from the right, and Victor Osimhen's header at the far post went just over the bar. In the 11th minute, Admora Lookman took a corner from the right, and Osimhen's header again went over the bar.

In the 17th minute, Adams unleashed a long-range shot from outside the penalty area, which was saved by Emmanuel Damen. Osimhen followed up and scored, but was ruled offside. In the 29th minute, Calvin Bassy delivered a cross from the left wing at a 45-degree angle into the penalty area, but Osimhen's header went wide of the right corner.

In the 44th minute, Nigeria finally broke the deadlock: Lookman delivered a long cross from the left wing, and Osimhen headed it in from close range. Thanks to the excellent combination play between Lookman and Osimhen, Nigeria went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.

In the early stages of the second half, Nigeria maintained control against Tunisia: In the 50th minute, Lookman delivered a corner kick from the left, and Wilfred Ndidi rose high in the penalty area to head the ball into the net. In the 67th minute, Alex Iwobi delivered a precise through ball during a counter-attack, and Osimhen received the ball and cut it back to assist Lookman in firing a shot into the net.

Trailing by two goals, Tunisia launched a fierce counterattack against Nigeria. In the 74th minute, Hannibal Mebri delivered a free kick from the left side of the attacking third, and Montasar Talbi headed the ball into the net to pull one back. In the 83rd minute, Bright Osaj-Samuel was struck in the arm by a long diagonal pass from Ali Abdi while defending in the penalty area, and a penalty was awarded after VAR review. Abdi then converted the penalty, bringing Tunisia to 2-3.

However, Tunisia failed to score again. At the final whistle, Nigeria won by one goal at the Fez Stadium.