AFCON 2025: Nigeria, Tunisia Battle for Three Points in Top-of-the-Table Clash

Posted : 26 December 2025

One of Africa’s most storied football rivalries continues on Saturday in the Moroccan city of Fès, as Nigeria and Tunisia clash in a top-of-the-table encounter of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations at the 35,000-capacity Complexe Sportif de Fès.

Both teams secured three points from their opening games, setting the stage for fiery exchanges. Coaches Eric Chelle and Sami Trabelsi, both former players, will push their teams to achieve victory and book an early spot in the tournament’s Round of 16.

Nigeria and Tunisia have met 21 times over 64 years, with each side winning six matches and nine ending in draws. Three of these matches went to penalty shootouts, with Nigeria winning two, including a 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifier and a memorable AFCON quarter-final in Port Said 19 years ago. Tunisia won a penalty shootout in the 2004 AFCON they hosted, setting up a final clash with Morocco.

The rivalry has seen dramatic walkouts, with Nigeria leaving the pitch in an AFCON qualifier in Tunis in December 1961 after a controversial goal, and Tunisia walking off in March 1978 in an AFCON bronze-medal match in Kumasi. Tunisia also defeated Nigeria 1-0 in the Round of 16 at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, marking their first competitive victory over the Super Eagles since 1985.

Trabelsi, who was part of Tunisia’s 2004 AFCON-winning squad, leads a talented side including Ferjani Sassi, Ali Maâloul, Hannibal Mejbri, Dylan Bronn, Ben Ali, Ali Ben Romdhane, and Yan Valery. Nigeria’s frontline features Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Samuel Chukwueze, supported defensively by Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi.

With Osimhen seeking his first goal of the tournament, Nigeria will look to capitalize on his 31-goal record in 47 matches. Midfielder Alexander Iwobi, likely earning his 93rd cap, will play a pivotal role, while captain Wilfred Ndidi will be tasked with breaking up Tunisia’s fast-paced attacks.

Head-to-Head Highlights:

25 Nov 1961: Nigeria 2-1 Tunisia (AFCON Qualifier, Lagos)
10 Dec 1961: Tunisia 2-2 Nigeria (AFCON Qualifier, Tunis; Nigeria walked off)
16 Mar 1978: Tunisia 0-2 Nigeria (AFCON, Kumasi; Tunisia walked off at 1-1)
23 Jan 2022: Tunisia 1-0 Nigeria (AFCON, Garoua)

Full head-to-head history available from 1961 to 2022, reflecting a fiercely competitive rivalry marked by high drama and memorable matches.

AFCON 2025: Nigeria, Tunisia Battle for Three Points in Top-of-the-Table Clash

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