Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia: Osimhen & Lookman score to secure knock-out stage place

Ademola Lookman assisted two goals and scored another as Nigeria reached the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-2 win over Tunisia.

Match Report

Victor Osimhen and Wilfred Ndidi scored either side of the break before Lookman added a third for the Super Eagles, who have guaranteed a top-two finish in Group C, but goals from Montassar Talbi and Ali Abdi set up a nervy finish in Fez.

It looked set to be a frustrating affair for Nigeria when Akor Adams, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Osimhen all failed to get the better of Aymen Dahmen in the early stages, but the latter broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time as he headed home from Lookman's cross.

And Lookman provided a crucial centre again five minutes into the second half, with his corner headed in by captain Ndidi, before the Atalanta forward made it 3-0 with a clever finish in the 67th minute from Osimhen's cutback.

Talbi gave Tunisia a lifeline when he converted from Hannibal Mejbri's free-kick, and their hopes of a comeback were increased when Abdi scored from the penalty spot after Osayi-Samuel was penalised for a handball in the 87th minute.

Nigeria were pinned within their own half for the majority of the seven additional minutes, with goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali spilling a cross before Ferhani Sassi headed wide, but they managed to hold on for all three points.

Elsewhere in Group C, Tanzania drew 1-1 with Uganda, meaning both sides will have to win their final group fixtures to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout rounds.

Data Debrief: Lookman the hero again for Nigeria

After scoring the winner against Tanzania in their group opener, Lookman proved to have the decisive touch again for Nigeria to book their spot in the next round.

He becomes just the third Nigerian player on record (since 2010) to provide two assists in a single AFCON game, after John Obi Mikel against Mali in 2013, and Alex Iwobi last time out versus Tanzania.

It was a deserved win for the Super Eagles, who produced 2.1 expected goals (xG) from 15 shots to Tunisia's 1.04 from eight, which was also boosted by their penalty.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

0' Highlight from Nigeria vs Tunisia

17' Highlight from Nigeria vs Tunisia

29' Match Event for Nigeria vs Tunisia

44' GOAL! Nigeria 1-0 Tunisia (Victor Osimhen)

50' GOAL! Nigeria 2-0 Tunisia (Wilfred Ndidi)

67' GOAL! Nigeria 3-0 Tunisia (Ademola Lookman)

74' GOAL! Nigeria 3-1 Tunisia (Montassar Talbi)

86' Penalty Goal! Nigeria 3-2 Tunisia

Line-ups

Nigeria XI: Iwobi, Semi Ajayi, Ndidi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Osimhen, Lookman, Frank Onyeka, Calvin Bassey, Akor Adams, Bruno Onyemaechi, Stanley Nwabali

Subs: Paul Onuachu, Moses Simon, F. Uzoho, Cyriel Dessers, Awaziem, Chukwueze, Chidera Ejuke, Zaidu Sanusi, Igoh Ogbu, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, R. Alebiosu, Tochukwu Nnadi, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Amas Obasogie

Tunisia XI: F. Sassi, Ali Abdi, Skhiri, D. Bronn, Valery, Montassar Talbi, Aymen Dahmen, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Hannibal, Elias Achouri, Hazem Mastouri

Subs: A. Maâloul, Sliti, Seifeddine Jaziri, Meriah, Mortadha Ben Ouanes, Firas Chaouat, Mohamed Ben Ali, Bechir Ben Said, Sebastian Tounekti, Houssem Tka, Mohamed Belhadj Mahmoud, Noureddine Farhati, Ismaël Gharbi, Elias Saad, Adem Arous