Nigeria sealed their spot in the round of 16 at the ongoing African Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco with a nervy 3-2 win over Tunisia, SportPremi Reports.
In a very one-sided first half performance, Victor Osimhen gave the Super Eagles the lead few minutes before the interval.
Captain Wilfried Ndidi added a second after the restart, before Ademola Lookman scored Nigeria’s third of the game.
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Montassar Talbi pulled one back for Tunisia later, before Ali Abdi added another to set up a tense finish.
Nigeria held on to seal a 3-2 victory in a thrilling encounter. They advance to the next round and have accrued six points from two games, while Tunisia have three points.
Uganda and Tanzania, who played out a 1-1 draw earlier in the day have one point each in group C.
First half: Osimhen gives dominant Nigeria first half lead
Nigeria headed into the clash eyeing revenge after their defeat to Tunisia in the round of 16 at the 2021 African Cup of Nations.
Victor Osimhen had the first real chance of the clash, but headed over from inside the box
The Galatasaray forward then scored on his next attempt, but was denied by the offside flag for a second consecutive game.
Osimhen finally got his goal in the 42nd minute, rising highest to head in a cross from Ademola Lookman as Nigeria dominated proceedings and took the lead into the break.
Second half: Ndidi and Lookman cap superb Nigeria performance after late Tunisia fightback
The Super Eagles continued their dominance in the second half and added a second three minutes after the restart as captain Wilfried Ndidi headed in from another Lookman assist from a corner kick.
Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was then lucky not to be sent off after his foul was deemed to have happened after the whistle had gone.
The impressive Lookman then got the goal his performance deserved in the 67th minute as a superb through ball from Alex Iwobi found Osimhen, who cut back for the Atalanta forward to score.
Montassar Talbi then headed one back for Tunisia, although Nwabali could have done better in preventing the goal.
The Carthage Eagles were then awarded a contentious spot-kick after a VAR review and Abdi converted to make the scoreline 3-2.
Nigeria held on a spirited Tunisia fightback as they sealed maximum points and move top of the group.
Players Ratings:
- Nwabali – 5.5/10
The goalkeeper was lucky to still remain on the pitch for a dangerous foul although he was saved by the referee’s whistle and could have done better to prevent Tunisia’s opener. His place in the spot could be under threat after another underwhelming display.
- Bright Osayi-Samuel – 6.7/10
The right-back put in another decent shift in defence and was unlucky to concede a controversial penalty kick which resulted in Tunisia’s second goal.
- Ajayi – 6.9/10
The defender was not among the goalscorers today, but was solid at the back and completed the most passes in the match (67).
- Bassey – 7.5/10
Bassey helped to organize the defence and even created two chances with his constant long diagonals upfront.
- Onyemaechi – 7.3/10
Came in for Zaidu Sanusi at the left-back and did enough to earn another starting berth in Nigeria’s next match.
- Onyeka – 7.4/10
Assisted Ndidi in nullifying the threat posed by Tunisia, before he came off in the 79th minute.
- Ndidi – 8.5/10
A captain’s performance from the midfielder who helped to shield the defence and also score a brilliant header early in the second half.
- Iwobi – 7.2/10
Iwobi put in another superb shift in midfield and played a brilliant ball to Osimhen in the buildup to the third goal.
- Lookman – 9.1/10
The player of the match, Lookman reinforced his big-game status with a goal and two assists in the Super Eagles win. He also created four chances in the match on an impressive night on the big stage once again.
- Adams – 7.3/10
Although he didn’t score once again, Adams linked up well with teammates and was an excellent addition in attack.
- Osimhen – 8.7/10
Nigeria’s main man finally got his goal before halftime, after he already hd an effort ruled out for offside. Osimhen also played a brilliant cutback to Lookman to score Nigeria’s third in a superb performance.
Key Stats
Ball Possession: Nigeria 59% – 41% Tunisia
Total Shots: Nigeria 15 – 8 Tunisia
Shots on target: Nigeria 5 – 2 Tunisia
Pass Accuracy: Nigeria 88% – 79% Tunisia
Corners: Nigeria 4 – 6 Tunisia
What Next?
Nigeria have booked their spot in the knockout stages and will head into their final game against Uganda on the 30th with an eye on finishing top of the group.
Tunisia, on the other hand, will head into their own clash against Tanzania hoping for maximum points to seal their spot in the next round.
