Tunisia mounted a remarkable late surge against Nigeria in a crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, narrowly missing out on an improbable comeback after falling three goals behind. The match, held at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, saw the Carthage Eagles rally from a seemingly insurmountable deficit, ultimately losing 3-2. OGC Nice defender Ali Abdi offered insights into the dramatic shift in momentum, highlighting his team’s renewed resolve in the dying minutes of the encounter.
Nigeria had established a commanding 3-0 lead, capitalizing on key moments just before the half-time whistle and shortly after the restart. These decisive strikes placed the Super Eagles firmly in control, suggesting a comfortable victory was on the horizon for the tournament favourites. The Tunisian side appeared out of contention, struggling to assert themselves against their formidable opponents who demonstrated clinical finishing and strategic play.
However, with just 15 minutes remaining and trailing by three goals, Tunisia experienced a profound psychological turning point. Ali Abdi revealed that the team collectively decided to abandon caution and commit entirely to a fightback. “In the last 15 minutes, we said we had to give it our all. We were losing 3–0 and couldn’t take any more,” Abdi explained, emphasizing a collective desire to demonstrate pride to the 25,000 spectators present. This shift in mentality ignited their late offensive.
The renewed intensity quickly bore fruit. Tunisia pulled a goal back in the 74th minute, injecting a flicker of hope into their campaign. This was followed by a second goal from the penalty spot late in the game, further narrowing Nigeria’s lead to 3-2. What had initially seemed like a routine win for the Super Eagles transformed into a nail-biting finish, with the Tunisian side relentlessly pressing for an equalizer against a visibly rattled Nigerian defence.
Abdi attributed this late resurgence to the team’s unwavering unity and belief, even as Nigeria attempted to manage the closing stages of the match. Despite conceding goals at “very difficult moments” – specifically, at the end of the first half and the beginning of the second – the Tunisian squad refused to yield. “We didn’t give up. We stayed strong, we stayed together until the end,” he affirmed, underscoring the resilience that fuelled their near-successful comeback attempt.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close to completing the comeback, creating a significant opportunity to level the score at 3-3 in the final moments. This late chance, however, narrowly missed the target, denying Tunisia what would have been one of the most memorable equalizers of the qualifiers. Abdi expressed regret over the missed opportunity but stressed the importance of extracting positives and learning from the negatives, acknowledging the unforgiving nature of top-tier football.
Reflecting on the wider context, Abdi acknowledged Nigeria’s well-deserved status as tournament favourites, attributing their strong position to inherent national footballing strength. He also candidly admitted that Tunisia’s slow start to the match inadvertently handed the Super Eagles an early psychological and tactical advantage. This initial struggle allowed Nigeria to gain significant confidence, setting the stage for their dominant first hour of play.
Despite the disappointment of the loss, Abdi maintained a forward-looking perspective, affirming that the result did not diminish Nigeria’s achievement on the day. He also expressed confidence in Tunisia’s future performance in the AFCON, asserting that the team would “have their say” in the competition. This reflects a determination within the squad to overcome setbacks and demonstrate their true potential in subsequent fixtures.
The outcome of the match solidified Nigeria’s position at the top of Group C, with a perfect six points, effectively securing their qualification for the next round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Their clinical performance, despite the late scare, underscores their credentials as a leading contender in the tournament. The Super Eagles will now look to maintain their momentum as they progress deeper into the competition.
For Tunisia, the loss leaves them with a crucial task ahead in their final group game. Currently holding only a single point, they must secure a decisive victory against Tanzania to stand any realistic chance of advancing. The dramatic nature of their performance against Nigeria, while ultimately unsuccessful, could nonetheless provide a morale boost and a template for the intensity required to succeed in their upcoming must-win encounter.
