Tunisia head coach Sami Trabelsi has pinpointed a lack of intensity in key moments as the reason his side fell 3–2 to Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Speaking after the pulsating Group C clash in Fez, Trabelsi admitted his team failed to impose themselves early, allowing the Super Eagles to punish defensive lapses and seize control of the game before a dramatic late fightback.
Tunisia arrived at the tournament in strong form, boasting a solid defensive record from World Cup qualifying and a 3–1 opening win over Uganda. Nigeria, meanwhile, had scraped past Tanzania 2–1.
But those pre-match expectations were flipped as the Super Eagles dominated large spells with pace, power and precision.
Nigeria struck just before half-time when Ademola Lookman’s cross was met by Victor Osimhen, who powered home a header.
Four minutes into the second half, Wilfred Ndidi doubled the lead from another Lookman delivery, this time from a corner.
When Lookman himself made it 3–0 in the 66th minute after a clever Osimhen cut-back, the contest looked over.
Tunisia, however, showed resilience. Montassar Talbi headed in from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick in the 75th minute to spark hope, and Ali Abdi converted a VAR-awarded penalty after a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel to set up a tense finish.
Despite sustained pressure, Ferjani Sassi’s stoppage-time header drifted narrowly wide.
Reflecting on the loss, Trabelsi struck a mix of frustration and optimism.
“There is bitterness, of course,” he told CAFonline. “But in the final 30 to 35 minutes, we played at a very high level. We created chances, scored twice and could have scored more.”
He added that the key difference lay in physical battles. “We did not start the match well because we lost too many defensive and attacking duels. The goals we conceded came from crosses. Once we started winning our duels, we were much better and put Nigeria under pressure.”
Despite the defeat, Trabelsi believes the performance showed Tunisia can compete with anyone when they impose their style.
“The defeat hurts, but there is a positive side. It shows we can challenge any opponent when we play our football.”
Nigeria now top Group C with six points and will face Uganda next, while Tunisia head to Rabat to take on Tanzania in a must-win encounter to keep their AFCON hopes alive.
