Nigeria vs Tunisia Prediction 27.12.2025 | Africa Cup of Nations

In the most recent edition of this tournament, the Super Eagles overcame every obstacle except the one that mattered most, falling to a 2-1 defeat against hosts Ivory Coast in the final after surrendering a one-goal halftime lead. That disappointment, coupled with their failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, has left Nigeria highly motivated, not only to reclaim continental glory but also to restore their status on the African stage.

Nigeria’s pursuit of a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title began in victorious fashion, although their opening clash against a stubborn Tanzania side proved far from straightforward. The Super Eagles were forced to dig deep before edging out a hard-fought 2-1 win, sealed by Ademola Lookman’s decisive strike early in the second half.

While the attacking unit once again showcased its potency, spearheaded by prolific forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, the opening-day performance also exposed defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in the full-back areas. These shortcomings could be exploited against a tactically disciplined and dangerous Tunisian side, prompting head coach Eric Chelle to address the balance between attacking freedom and defensive stability.

Compounding those concerns is Nigeria’s ongoing defensive injury crisis. First-choice right-back Ola Aina and centre-back Benjamin Fredrick remain sidelined with long-term injuries, while the recent international retirement of experienced captain William Troost-Ekong has further depleted the Super Eagles’ defensive depth.

Unlike Nigeria, who can proudly boast three AFCON trophies to their name, Tunisia experienced the joy of lifting the prestigious African Cup of Nations on just one occasion in 2004, when playing on home soil allowed them to overcome Morocco 2-1 in a tightly contested final.

This prestigious tournament may be unimaginable without them since 1994, yet the Eagles of Carthage’s most recent AFCON campaign left little to remember, as they were not only eliminated in the group stage but also managed to secure only two of the nine available points.

Determined to make amends, Tunisia have made a flying start to their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign, thumping Uganda 3-1 in their opening Group C fixture — a performance that ended a 12-year curse of failing to win their opening match at the tournament.

With a largely fit squad, the return of experienced defender Ali Maâloul for his fifth AFCON appearance, and the inclusion of in-form striker Seifeddine Jaziri, Tunisia possess a potent blend of experience and continuity, positioning them for a deep run in the competition.