Nigeria are set to take on Tunisia in their second matchday of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday night, with both teams aiming for all three points as they look to strengthen their chances of qualifying in first place.
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Nigeria vs Tunisia
Saturday 27th December, 20:00
Complexe Sportif de Fes
Nigeria’s 2025 was a significant improvement on their late 2023 and 2024, which saw the Super Eagles fail to win any of their first four World Cup qualifying matches in CAF Group C, as well as devastatingly lose 2-1 to Ivory Coast in the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Eric Chelle, who was appointed in January 2025, managed to brilliantly lift the side to second in the World Cup qualifiers with four wins and two draws, while also lifting the Unity Cup in May, but Nigeria were disappointingly unable to secure their qualification to the 2026 tournament.
Despite progressing past Gabon 4-1 in the CAF playoff semi-final, a crushing 4-3 penalty defeat to DR Congo in the playoff final left Nigeria unable to secure their place at the 2026 World Cup, and they are now aiming to bounce back from that disappointment at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations.
While Nigeria will still be reeling from their failure to reach the World Cup, their improved form under Chelle will certainly provide them with much-needed confidence, especially with superstar players such as Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman leading them forward.
Tunisia will, however, be a difficult opponent for the Super Eagles, and that has proven to be the case in recent meetings between these two teams, with Nigeria failing to win either of their last two encounters.
Tunisia also came into the AFCON tournament high on confidence after winning five, drawing three and losing only two of their last 10 matches across all competitions ahead of the tournament.
While they may not be among the favourites to go deep in the competition, their form prior to the tournament will certainly give them belief that they could challenge with the top teams, and a win against Nigeria could be pivotal in achieving that.
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Team News
Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze have consistently started as Nigeria’s front three under Chelle, and the trio are likely to continue their partnership in this one.
Further back, Alex Iwobi could partner alongside Frank Onyeka, with Wilfred Ndidi playing in a slightly deeper defensive midfield position.
As for Tunisia, Hazem Mastouri, Elias Saad, Hannibal Mejbri and Sebastian Tounekti are likely to make up the attacking quartet, while Ellyes Skhiri and Ferjani Sassi could partner at the base of midfield.
Nigeria Predicted XI: Nwabali; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Sanusi; Iwobi, Ndidi, Onyeka; Chukwueze, Osimhen, Lookman
Tunisia Predicted XI: Dahmen; Valery, Bronn, Talbi, Abdi; Sassi, Skhiri; Tounekti, Mejbri, Saad; Mastouri
Bet9ja Tips
Nigeria are certainly the stronger team on paper, especially with the world-class quality of Osimhen and Lookman in their team, and while they have struggled in their recent meetings with Tunisia, the Super Eagles are undoubtedly the favourites heading into this match.
With Nigeria’s superstar quality in mind, compared to the slightly weaker defensive unit of Tunisia, we are backing Chelle’s men to get all three points. You can get odds of Nigeria to win of 2.30 with Bet9ja.
Bet9ja Odds (at time of writing): Nigeria to win: 2.30, Draw: 3.10, Tunisia to win: 3.30.
