AFCON: Nigeria overpower Tunisia, move to knockout stage

The Super Eagles of Nigeria scored twice in the second half to seal a 3-2 win over Tunisia in their Africa Cup of Nations Group C encounter at the Fez stadium on Saturday.

Victor Osimhen, captain Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman were all on the scoresheet as Nigeria won the battle of the Eagles, sealing passage to the knockout phase of the tournament.

Coach Eric Chelle replaced both Zaidu Sanusi and Samuel Chukwueze to the bench with Bruno Onyemaechi and Frank Onyeka, while Osimhen and Akor Adams continued to lead the attack.

The Super Eagles dominated the first half and created multiple chances, with Osimhen heading over the bar twice, and also had a goal chalked off for offside.

The Galatasaray striker eventually gave Nigeria the lead with a downward header from Ademola Lookman’s early cross, sending Nigeria into the break 1-0 ahead.

Nigeria doubled the lead five minutes after the restart through Ndidi’s glancing header from Lookman’s corner kick for 2-0, netting his first ever international goal for Nigeria.

Lookman then finished off a swift counter attack to make it 3-0 on 67 minutes.

Tunisia mounted a comeback against the tiring Super Eagles, as Montassar Talbi headed home to reduce the deficit on 74 minutes, before a penalty for handball was converted by Ali Abdi on 87 minutes to set up a tense finale.

Nigeria survived the final minutes to seal all three points in the five-goal thriller, and continued their group stage dominance over the Carthage Eagles they have defeated twice, adding to the 4-2 group stage win at AFCON 2000.

Nigeria also became the first country to score three goals against Tunisia at AFCON since Ivory Coast in 2013.

Nigeria, with six points and a perfect start to the tournament, will play Uganda in the final group C match next week Tuesday, December 30.

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