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In the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Nigeria and Tunisia have not previously played similar games. However, when the Super Eagles and the North Africans play in Group C on Saturday at the 2025 edition of the continental showpiece, their conflict, which dates back decades, will rekindle. &nbsp,

Following a 1-0 defeat to the Carthage Eagles in a last-16 showdown at the 2021 AFCON, the Super Eagles were forced to leave the sport. Nigeria had excellent form going in and out of their group.

The three-time champions, however, lost incredibly to a Tunisian side that was plagued by injuries and managed to make it to the knockouts against one of the best third-placed teams. &nbsp,

Also read: “Three Points Matter Most,” Ndidi Reacts Following Super Eagles’ AFCON Win vs. Tanzania

Although the two teams haven’t met since then, Nigeria will have another chance to reclaim their defeat in Cameroon when the two teams square off in Fez. The contest is top-of-the-table.

At the AFCON in 2025, Tunisia and the Super Eagles both won their first games. The North Africans, however, are gaining ground thanks to superior goal difference. &nbsp,

Nigeria: How they fared at AFCON 2025?

Coach Eric Chelle’s team defeated minnows Tanzania 2-1 in their opening game, and they needed a strike from Taifa Stars defender Semi Ajayi and forward Ademola Lookman to clinch all three points. &nbsp,

Tunisia in AFCON 2025

In the first round of matches, their foes were more brutal. To begin their campaign, they defeated the Cranes of Uganda 3-1.

A Head-to-Head Analysis of the AFCON Rivals: Nigeria vs. Tunisia

Sami Trabelsi’s men will want to keep fighting Nigeria and continue their excellent start there. Given the historical antecedents of both teams, they are aware of the dangers that the Super Eagles pose. &nbsp,

Nigeria leads the Carthage Eagles three times, beating Tunisia one, in the AFCON. Both of their games were decided on penalties. The North Africans won the 2021 AFCON thanks to a Youssef Msakni strike.

The 2004 champions of the conflict have won six victories, while their rivals have won five, and the rest have ended in draws. &nbsp,

What Chelle and Trabelsi Said Before the AFCON Game between Nigeria and Tunisia?

Coach Chelle acknowledged that Tunisia are a tough opponent with a colorful history ahead of the game and anticipates a difficult matchup. &nbsp,

“Tunisia are a big team with a strong playing identity and a strong World Cup qualifying record behind them.” He stated in his pre-game presser that they play good football and that this competition had started very well. &nbsp,

The Franco-Malian believes his team is capable of meeting the demands and that the Super Eagles are “improving with every match” despite the credentials of the Tunisians. &nbsp,

He stated, “This tournament is an opportunity to correct what previously went wrong and maintain our identity. There is no pressure on us.”

His counterpart acknowledged that “Nigeria are strong offensively and defensively.”

The 2004 AFCON hosts, according to Trabelsi, don’t want to miss out on Saturday’s flaws because they aren’t distracted by off-field events. &nbsp,

We have studied Nigeria’s football team, and there are no national teams without weak points. We must defeat large teams, he said, in order to advance. &nbsp,

Tunisian vs. Nigeria Team News

The Super Eagles will be hoping that a fully-fit team with their full roster of stars will eliminate the Tunisian threat while Trabelsi is plotting against Nigeria. &nbsp,

Prior to Saturday’s tie, the 2013 champions didn’t have any medical concerns. The starting eleven that faced Tanzania is most likely to be present. Nigeria’s fans want to see more of Victor Osimhen, a star striker, in the game, but they may have already won.

It is anticipated that Calvin Bassey’s defensive work rate, Alex Iwobi’s eagle eyes to pick out players, and Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman’s flair will help them win. &nbsp,

Tunisian Team News vs. Nigeria

Hazem Mastouri was a doubt for Tunisia’s match against Nigeria, but he has been declared fit to play. &nbsp,

The Tunisian coach stated on Friday that “Hazem is in good shape and is improving his training.” &nbsp,

Details of the 2025 AFCON match between Tunisia and Nigeria: Date and Kickoff Time

 This is the match information for Nigeria and Tunisia at the 2025 AFCON.

Tunisia vs. Nigeria game, p/c/o,

CAF Africa Cup of Nations Competition

Fez Stadium in Fez, Morocco

Saturday, December 27 at 9 p.m. (WAT) or 8:00 pm (Nigerian time) as the kickoff time.

AFCON Knockouts on the Line: Tunisia vs. Nigeria

After Lassine Sinayoko’s second-half penalty earned Mali a 1-1 draw with the hosts on Friday, Morocco missed a chance to advance to the last 16 of the African Cup of Nations.

The first-half penalty early in the second-half gave Morocco the lead, but Sinayoko responded on 64 minutes with a spot kick.

READ ALSO: Musona Saves Zimbabwe In Angola-AFCON DRAW

Morocco’s record-breaking 19 matches were ended by a 2-0 victory over Comoros in the tournament’s opening game at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Morocco, who leads Group A with four points from two games, now has their place in the knockout phase, as a result.

Mali leads Zambia by two points after drawing 0-0 with the minnows Comoros earlier in Casablanca.

Morocco will face Zambia on Mondayy, and a victory there will guarantee that the hosts will qualify as group winners.

“We’ll look back at the second half to find out what the issue was, but we didn’t play the way we did in the first half.” We had to leave because we didn’t impose our rules. Azzedine Ounahi, a Moroccan midfielder, told the broadcaster beIN Sports that the penalty had a slight impact on the game.

“We approach the third game with the same goal: to win it and finish first in the group.”

As Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi recovers from an ankle injury he sustained while playing for Paris Saint-Germain at the beginning of November, Achraf Hakimi, the African player of the year, was once more an unused substitute.

Mbappe keeps watch on

In the crowd of 63, 844, his former PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe, the current Real Madrid superstar and France captain, appeared to be sporting Hakimi’s number two on a shirt.

The Little Number 10 forced a good save from Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra on 17 minutes, and Diaz’s Real Madrid teammate was the main attraction on the pitch while Hakimi was on the sidelines. He then played a key role in the penalty that gave Mbappe the lead into the opening goal just before the break.

After a lengthy investigation into the pitchside VAR monitor, Mali defender Nathan Gassama eventually awarded a spot-kick following a lengthy look at the player. He attempted to stop Diaz from dribbling past him inside the box with his hand.

Soufiane Rahimi from Morocco saved a spot kick against Comoros, but Diaz deflected the ball in the wrong direction for his second goal of the tournament.

The best team in Africa, according to the FIFA rankings, couldn’t, however, as Mali won a penalty of their own shortly after the hour mark.

After being called over to check his screen, 29-year-old Cameroonian referee Abdoul Abdel Mefire awarded the penalty after a clumsy challenge by Jawad El Yami, q.

Auxerre striker Sinayoko kept his cool to savor the reward and restore parity after being accused of speaking to the referee in a public speech.

Egypt’s 10-man team defeated South Africa 1-0 on Friday in Agadir to become the first to advance to the knockout stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

When Yasser Ibrahim appeared to handle the ball inside the box in the 45th minute, the Liverpool star converted a penalty and South Africa were denied a spot-kick in the final minute.

Salah skipped five Liverpool games to start in Morocco, which caused an outburst against manager Arne Slot.

When right-back Mohamed Hany received a second yellow card for stamping, followed by a red, in the first-half, Egypt were reduced to 10 men.

Egypt, the seven-time champions, are on pace for a top-two finish and a spot in the round of 16 after two rounds in Group B.

After drawing 1-1 in Marrakech earlier, South Africa now has three points, along with Angola and Zimbabwe one each.

After 11 minutes, Salah had 11 chances, but he was unable to advance quickly enough to cross Hany’s low cross.

Soon after Zizo’s request for a free kick was ignored, loud whistling surrounded the stadium, which made it clear that the majority of the crowd was in favor of the Pharaohs.

Three Egyptians darted forward after Salah fired a free kick into the South African area, but none could intercept the ball.

A pattern had emerged in the opening half: South Africa defended with calmness and effective tackling while Egypt were frequently pushing forward.

Salah is closely guarded ,

Omar Marmoush was yellow-carded when Teboho Mokoena fouled him just outside the D. The resultant free kick was fired wide by the Manchester City striker, though.

With many earlier group games staged in torrential rain, the sun burst out in the southern coastal city as the first half progressed, which was a welcome sight for both players and spectators.

Lyle Foster struck a weak shot that Mohamed El Shenawy, 37, comfortably saved in a rare South African attack that came to an unexpected end.

South Africa performed a complex, multi-pass move that ended tensely as El Shenawy clutched a cross as the team was awarded a free kick close to the touchline.

As half-time approached, Salah retreated into the Egyptian half while being closely watched by Aubrey Modiba.

The South African right-back raised his left arm and struck Salah’s left eye as the Egypt captain chased a loose ball with Khuliso Mudau.

The Burundian referee pointed the penalty spot on a VAR monitor as the Egyptians protested.

Salah comfortably converted the penalty after Ronwen Williams dived the wrong way despite a lengthy delay before the kick was taken.

When Hany stamped on Mokoena in extra time, adding drama, the defender received a second yellow card.

With a numerical advantage, South Africa attacked more as the second half progressed, but Williams foiled Emam Ashour, who had just a quick free-kick from Williams.

El Shenawy exhibited his agility with 15 minutes left, tipping a low Foster shot safely with his right hand. It was just one of several saves that kept Egypt ahead.

As the second round of Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group games began, Veteran Knowledge Musona scored as Zimbabwe rallied from a 1-1 deficit to draw 1-1 with Angola in Marrakech on Friday.

Gelson Dala and Musona both put Angola ahead in the opening period of play and recalled Musona’s powerful levelling late in the second half.

With only one match more to go, neither team could have benefited from a draw in Group B, which leaves them two points adrift of joint leaders Egypt and South Africa.

The knockout phase is automatically open to the top two finishers in each section. The top four of the six mini-leagues’ top four teams advance as well.

READ ALSO: AFCON Organizers Giving Fans Free Entry To Empty Stands

When Bill Antonio fired wide from close range in front of a small crowd in the center of the city, it was a good chance for Zimbabwe to take the lead early on.

After 24 minutes, Qatari striker Dala, who was based in Angola, quickly regained control and took the lead.

To Carneiro’s superb lobbed pass landed in front of Dala inside the box, and he stowed the ball between the near post and Washington Arubi, a goalkeeper, who was 40 years old.

After conceding to Egypt in Agadir with a score of 2-1, Musona, one of the four changes, started getting more involved as the Warriors searched for an equaliser.

Marian Marinica, the coach of Romania, was frustrated when Musona wasted a free-kick by smashing the ball into the defensive wall before sending it wide.

The 39-year-old Angolan goalkeeper had his head bandaged heavily before continuing after colliding with an opponent.

At the end of the opening half, Musona’s perseverance paid off when he equalized six minutes into extra time.

Zimbabwe quickly counterattacked after Angola were taken out of midfield, and Musona was found inside the box by a superb pass.

He slammed the net into the left of Marques’ extended right leg while Carneiro’s legs were sluggish.

After 12 minutes of regular time, Marques acrobatic one-handed save from substitute Tawanda Chirewa saved Angola as both teams searched for a second goal and the lead.

A Confederation of African Football source told AFP that organizers at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will allow fans to enter for free after kick-off in matches when there are no seats available.

In Agadir, the Group F game between Cameroon and Gabon took place on Wednesday in front of almost empty stands, but the ground significantly increased in the first half despite persistent rain.

Later, it was revealed that there were 35, 200 people inside a venue that could accommodate more than 45, 000.

Similar scenes have occurred at numerous matches in the competition’s opening days, some of which have even caused confusion about the actual attendance figures.

 Super Eagles of Nigeria Soar Past Tanzania To Start the 2025 AFCON Quest

The initial count for the crowd at Rabat’s Al Medina Stadium on Tuesday was 6, 703, before being changed to 13, 073, which was the result of the game’s increase in capacity.

According to the CAF source, organizers agreed with the governing body of African football to set up stands about 20 minutes before the games to allow fans to gather outside without paying.

As Morocco prepares for the 2030 World Cup to be held jointly in the North African nation of Spain and Portugal, filling stadiums is a crucial issue for Cup of Nations organizers.

On Thursday, the official CAF ticketing website announced seats for almost all of the remaining group games for starting at 100 dirhams ($10).

Only Morocco’s games against Mali on Friday and Monday against Zambia on Monday, Algeria against Burkinabe on Sunday, and Algeria against Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday were the only ones that were flagged as sell-outs.