Nigeria produced a dominant display to defeat Tunisia in a pulsating Group C encounter at the Fez Stadium, running out 3–2 winners in a five-goal Africa Cup of Nations classic, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.
The Super Eagles began on the front foot, with Victor Osimhen seeing an early header fly over the bar in the 8th minute before having a goal ruled out for offside soon after.
Nigeria’s persistence finally paid off just before the break when Osimhen rose highest to power home a header from Ademola Lookman’s pinpoint cross in the 44th minute.
Nigeria doubled its advantage shortly after the restart as Wilfred Ndidi headed in from a Lookman-delivered corner in the 50th minute, extending the Super Eagles’ control.
The contest appeared beyond Tunisia when Nigeria struck again in the 66th minute. A swift counter-attack, sparked by Frank Onyeka and involving Alex Iwobi, ended with Osimhen squaring the ball for Lookman, who calmly finished to make it 3–0.
Tunisia mounted a late response, pulling one back in the 74th minute through Talbi, who converted from a set-piece. The Carthage Eagles were then handed a lifeline following a VAR review, with Elabdi converting from the penalty spot in the 86th minute.
Despite the late scare, Nigeria held firm to secure a vital victory in Group C, their second in two matches, to progress to the next round.
Uche Dozie