Nigeria face Tunisia on match-day two of the ongoing 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament, with a spot in the knockout rounds of the competition at stake, SportPremi Reports.
Both teams have set the early pace in group C with opening day victories and face-off in the top of the table clash, which could most likely determine the winners of the group.
The match will take place at the Fez Stadium, as the Super Eagles make a return to the venue for their opening match, while the Carthage Eagles play there for the first time, with kickoff at 9PM on Saturday.
Match Preview
Nigeria began their campaign at the 2025 African Cup of Nations tournament with a 2-1 win over Tanzania in their opening match. The Super Eagles dominated the encounter and scored twice through Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman, but talisman Victor Osimhen will be hoping for a better outing in front of goal against the North African side.
The three-time African champions have progressed beyond the group stages in their last 15 appearances at the tournament and have also won medals in four of their last five tournaments, making them favorites to clinch this encounter and move to the next round.
Tunisia, on the other hand, also began their campaign in convincing fashion, recording a 3-1 victory over Uganda in their opening fixture. The North Africans failed to progress beyond the group stage at the last AFCON in Ivory Coast after a disappointing performance where they finished bottom of their group.
The Carthage Eagles have only won the tournament once, on home soul in 2004, while their best finish since then was a fourth-placed finish in 2019, although Nigeria defeated them in the bronze medal match.
Head to Head
23.01.2021 – Nigeria 0-1 Tunisia (2021 African Cup of Nations)
13.10.2020 – Nigeria 1-1 Tunisia (International friendly)
17.07.2019 – Tunisia 0-1 Nigeria (2019 African Cup of Nations)
22.01.2016 – Tunisia 1-1 Nigeria (2016 African Nations Championship)
This matchup has been evenly matched in recent outings as both sides have won one game apiece, with two stalemates in their last four matches.
Tunisia claimed bragging rights when both teams met at the 2021 African Cup fo Nations, defeating Nigeria 1-0 in their round of 16 encounter.
Form
Nigeria head into the clash in fine form and only a single defeat in their last nine matches. That loss however was in the CAF playoff finals, as their hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup was ended by the Democratic Republic of Congo on penalties.
The Super Eagles have also scored in every of these matches, underlining their very potent attack.
Team News
Head coach Eric Chelle named a 28-man squad for the tournament and is expected to retain the same starting lineup from the 2-1 win over Tanzania in their opening match.
Formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Nwabali
Defenders: Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Sanusi
Midfielders: Iwobi, Ndidi
Forwards: Chukwueze, Lookman, Adams, Osimhen.
Prediction
Nigeria 2-1 Tunisia
The Super Eagles will have to dig deep to secure all three points from this encounter, but with the form of Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen in attack, they have all it takes to seal the victory and book their spot in the knockout round of the competition.
