Ademola Lookman of Nigeria celebrates goal with teammates during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations AFCON match between Nigeria and Tanzania at the Complex Sportif de Fes in Fes, Morocco on 23 December 2025 © Nabil Ramdani/BackpagePix
Friday Dec 26, 2025. 10:23
Nigeria will be looking for payback when they lock horns with Tunisia in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Group C clash at the Fez Stadium on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 10pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
The two teams last met on Africa’s biggest stage three years ago when the Eagles of Carthage ran out narrow 1-0 victors in the round of 16 before being eliminated by Burkina Faso (1-0) in the quarter-finals.
The Super Eagles kicked off their campaign in Morocco with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania at the same venue on December 23 courtesy of goals in each half from Semi Ajayi (36′) and Ademola Lookman (52′).
However, Eric Chelle’s side allowed the Taifa Stars a foothold in the game after getting off to a slow start in the second half which led to Charles M’Mombwa briefly equalising in the 50th minute.
The AFCON 2023 losing finalists also missed numerous chances in the first half before Ajayi opened the scoring and Chelle has called for an improvement in the final third against Tunisia.
Nigeria went unbeaten in their opening three matches at the previous tournament before losing to hosts Ivory Coast in the final and Chelle wants to see that same consistency from his players in Morocco.
“At this level, small details decide games. We played well, but we must reduce our mistakes, especially against stronger opponents,” he said.
“AFCON is about consistency. We will analyse this game carefully and make the necessary corrections before the next match.
“We are satisfied with the three points. That is the most important. For now, I want to focus on the positives.
“The second part of the game clearly shows there is still work to be done, especially in killing the game. We are aware of this, and we will work on it.”
The Eagles of Carthage made a much better start on this occasion after comfortably beating Uganda 3-1 on December 23, having failed to win any of their three group games in the 2023 edition.
Ellyes Skhiri broke the deadlock after just 10 minutes in Rabat before a brace from Elias Achouri (40′, 64′) sealed the win for Sami Trabelsi’s side, although the Cranes managed to score a late consolation goal through Denis Omedi (90+2′).