African football fans are in for a thrilling encounter on Saturday as Nigeria and Tunisia clash in a crucial Group C match at the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Fès, Morocco.
Both sides arrive in confident form, having secured victories on Matchday One, with another win potentially securing early qualification for the knockout stages. For Nigeria, it is also a chance to avenge their 1-0 Round of 16 defeat to Tunisia at AFCON 2021 in Cameroon.
The Super Eagles opened their campaign with a 2-1 win over Tanzania, thanks to goals from Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman. Tunisia, on the other hand, eased past Uganda 3-1, with Ellyes Skhiri and a brace from Elias Achouri putting them top of the group.
Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, emphasized the importance of focus and intensity against Tunisia’s technically adept side. “For this game, we had a recovery session and then intensified our training. Tunisia is a great team, playing very well. We are ready for this challenge,” Chelle said during Friday’s press briefing.
Reflecting on the Tanzania game, Chelle noted areas for improvement but praised his players’ resilience. “We analyzed the match and saw both positive and negative aspects. Conceding a goal was unfortunate, but the team responded immediately, which was encouraging. My players are prepared for Tunisia,” he added.
Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi echoed his coach’s confidence, recalling the painful loss to Tunisia in 2021. “That defeat motivates us. We focus on this new team and this opportunity. We don’t want a repeat of what happened,” Ndidi said. He dismissed notions of pressure following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing AFCON 2025 as a chance to correct past mistakes.
Tunisia defender Moutassar Taibli acknowledged Nigeria’s attacking threats, led by Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Samuel Chukwueze, but expressed confidence in his team’s concentration and experience. “We know Nigeria’s attackers are top-class. With focus, we aim for a positive result,” he stated.
The match will be played at Complexe Sportif de Fès, promising a vibrant atmosphere. Historically, Nigeria and Tunisia have met 21 times over 64 years, with six wins each and nine draws. In AFCON finals, Nigeria holds a slight edge, winning four encounters to Tunisia’s two. Their last meeting was the 2021 Round of 16, won 1-0 by Tunisia through Youssef Msakni, while Nigeria claimed the upper hand at AFCON 2019, winning the third-place playoff 1-0 via Odion Ighalo.
Kick-Off and Viewing Information:
- Kick-Off: 9:00 PM (Nigerian Time), December 27, 2025
- Venue: Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès, Morocco
- Broadcast: Super Sports channels on DSTV, StarTimes, SportyTV, CAF TV, Channel 4, beIN Sports, and other platforms
- Referee: Malian official Boubou Traore
Fans can expect a fiercely competitive clash as both teams aim to consolidate their positions at the top of Group C.
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