Nigeria v Tunisia: Line-ups, stats and preview

Preview for Nigeria v Tunisia

Two teams with opening-day victories clash in Fes tomorrow with the winner knowing they will all but secure a place in the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria beat Tanzania while Tunisia saw off Uganda 3-1 to claim an early lead in Group C. 

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle is wary of the North Africans but says the most important thing is to keep focused on the wider goal.

Chelle said: “This game is not going to be easy. Tunisia is a great team, and they have a lot of good players, both experienced and young ones. They play well as a team. We want to win too, but the most important thing is to qualify from the group.”

His Tunisian counterpart Sami Trabelsi was also happy to praise the opposition ahead of one of the biggest games of the tournament so far. 

He said: “Playing the second match after winning the first one is certainly big motivation for the players and gives them greater confidence. Tomorrow we face one of the strongest national teams in Africa. We are determined to achieve a positive result that will help us qualify for the next round before the final group match against Tanzania.”

Tunisia have secured their place in the World Cup next summer, unlike Nigeria, but Trabelsi insists that will have no bearing on the game tomorrow.

He added: “Our qualification for the World Cup and Nigeria’s failure to qualify gives us no advantage. We don’t deal with assumptions. We deal with seriousness and focus in every match and against every opponent.”

Team News for Nigeria v Tunisia

Trabelsi says Tunisia have no new injury problems and hinted they will go with the same XI.

“All players are in good health and ready,” he said. “We don’t change a winning team.”

Victor Osimhen is fit and will lead the line for Nigeria.

Predicted line-ups for Nigeria v Tunisia

Nigeria: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Zaire; Ndidi, Iwobi, Chukwueze, Lookman, Adams; Osimhen

Tunisia: Dahmen; Valery, Bronn, Talbi, Abdi; Sassi, Skhiri, Mejbri; Achouri, Saad, Mastouri

How to watch Nigeria v Tunisia: TV and online streams

Nigeria v Tunisia kicks off on Saturday at 8pm UK time. In the UK, live AFCON 2025 coverage is on Channel 4. In the USA, beIN Sports is the tournament broadcaster.

Online live streaming is available on a vast range of devices through Channel 4’s website and app and the beIN Sports app.

Stats for Nigeria v Tunisia

• Nigeria and Tunisia have met six times previously at the Africa Cup of Nations finals. Nigeria have recorded three wins to Tunisia’s one, with two matches ending level in 2004 and 2006, both decided by penalty shoot-outs, one win apiece.
• They met in the third-place play-off at the 2019 AFCON, with Nigeria winning 1–0 thanks to an early goal from Odion Ighalo