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Nigeria advanced to the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco with a 3-2 victory over Tunisia on Saturday, securing their place in the round of 16 with one group game to spare.
The win, which came after a dominant first half and a tense finish, was powered by goals from Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen and Besiktas midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.
Osimhen opened the scoring just before half-time, netting his second goal of the tournament to give Nigeria a crucial advantage. The Galatasaray striker, who also scored in the opening round, remained a persistent threat throughout the match. This season, Osimhen has scored 12 goals in 16 appearances for Galatasaray and ranks second on the UEFA Champions League top scorers list with six goals.
Ndidi, who captained the Super Eagles, scored Nigeria’s second goal, his first for the national team, before Ademola Lookman added a third. Typically known for his defensive role, the Besiktas midfielder made a rare attacking impact while also providing leadership during a match that shifted sharply in the closing stages.
Tunisia responded with two late strikes from Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi, creating a tense finish. Nigeria held on to secure the win and became the second team after Egypt to reach the last 16, topping Group C with six points from two matches.
In another Group D match on Saturday, Senegal drew 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of Congo in Tangiers. Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane equalized after Cedric Bakambu had put DR Congo ahead, keeping Senegal at the top of their group on goal difference with one game to play.
Senegal coach Pape Thiaw admitted frustration after the draw, saying, “We could have killed the game in the first half, but we didn’t.” However, he praised the team's response after falling behind, adding, “We will continue to work on converting our chances into goals.”
With one matchday remaining, Nigeria leads Group C with six points. Tunisia follows with three, while Tanzania and Uganda each have one point. Nigeria’s next match will determine whether they finish as group leaders or share top spot, depending on other results.
Meanwhile, Group D remains open, with Senegal, DR Congo, and Benin all still in contention for knockout qualification.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier men’s football championship in Africa, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Held every two years, the 2025 edition is being hosted by Morocco.
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