Nigeria is set to clash with a formidable Tunisia side in a pivotal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 Group C encounter this Saturday. The high-stakes match, scheduled for 9 PM (20:00 GMT) at Fez Stadium in Morocco, carries significant implications for both teams’ progression in the tournament. Nigeria, former champions, aim to rectify their finishing woes from the opening game, while a confident Tunisia seeks to cement their dominance in the group.
The Super Eagles began their AFCON campaign with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania, but the performance highlighted a concerning inefficiency in front of goal. Despite securing three points, Nigeria squandered numerous opportunities to extend their lead, a deficiency that could prove costly against stronger opposition. Star striker Victor Osimhen, usually a prolific scorer, notably failed to make a meaningful impact, leaving many questioning his form heading into this crucial fixture.
In contrast, Tunisia arrives with considerable momentum, having already secured qualification for next year’s FIFA World Cup. Their AFCON journey commenced with an impressive 3-1 win against Uganda in Rabat, a performance that underscored their credentials and propelled them to the top of Group C. Winger Elias Achouri shone brightly, netting a brace, while midfielder Ellyes Skhiri also found the back of the net, showcasing the Carthage Eagles’ attacking depth.
Following the initial round of matches, Tunisia currently leads Group C with three points, ahead of Nigeria on goal difference. Tanzania and Uganda occupy the bottom two spots, both yet to register a point. This encounter is therefore critical in shaping the group standings, with the top two teams from each group, alongside the four best third-placed teams, advancing to the knockout stages. A win for either side would significantly ease pressure ahead of the final group games.
The historical rivalry between these two African football giants adds another layer of intrigue to the contest. In 21 previous meetings across all competitions, Tunisia holds a slight edge with seven victories compared to Nigeria’s six, with eight matches ending in a draw. Their most recent competitive encounter saw Tunisia emerge victorious with a narrow 1-0 win in the last-16 stage of the AFCON 2022, a result Nigeria will be keen to avenge.
For Nigeria, the spotlight remains firmly on Victor Osimhen, whose ability to rediscover his prolific form will be crucial for their offensive aspirations. Other key attackers such as Ademola Lookman, who scored in the opener, and playmakers like Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze, are expected to provide vital support. Tunisia will look to the attacking flair of Elias Achouri, supported by the midfield prowess of Ellyes Skhiri and the creative spark of youngster Hannibal Mejbri, to unlock the Nigerian defence.
In terms of team news, Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, faces no new injury concerns but may contemplate defensive adjustments, potentially benching Zaidu Sanusi after his opening match performance. Tunisia, however, receives a boost with striker Hazem Mastouri declared fit to play, despite earlier doubts following heavy tackles in their previous game. Both teams are expected to field strong lineups, reflecting the importance of this fixture in their AFCON campaigns.
Both nations boast rich AFCON histories. Nigeria has participated in the tournament 20 times, lifting the coveted trophy on three occasions, most recently in 2013, and finishing as runners-up five times. Their consistent performance sees them frequently among the top three finishers. Tunisia, making their 17th consecutive appearance and 21st overall, celebrated their sole continental triumph on home soil in 2004, also reaching the final twice as runners-up.
