Nigeria secured their place in the AFCON knockout stages after a dominant Ademola Lookman performance inspired a 3-2 victory over a resilient Tunisia.
Ademola Lookman delivered a masterclass performance to guide Nigeria into the Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 with a 3-2 victory over Tunisia.
After a dominant opening, Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock in the 44th minute, heading home a Lookman cross.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi doubled the lead shortly after halftime, marking his first international goal, before Lookman added a third with a clinical finish in the 67th minute.
Despite trailing by three, Tunisia mounted a spirited late comeback. Montassar Talbi ignited hope by glancing a free-kick past Stanley Nwabali, and Ali Abdi converted a late penalty following a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel.
The “Eagles of Carthage” nearly forced a draw in the dying moments, but Ferjani Sassi’s header drifted agonizingly wide.
The result ensures Nigeria’s progression, while Tunisia remains second in the group heading into their final match.
The match was defined by individual brilliance and high emotion. Man of the Match Ademola Lookman was the catalyst, being “involved in all three Nigeria goals.”
Meanwhile, Osimhen finally found the net after earlier frustrations, “letting out his emotion in the celebration.”
Nigeria’s resilience preserves their impressive tournament record, having now secured “seven wins from their last eight group stage matches at AFCON finals.”