AFCON
AFCON 2025: Nigeria and Tunisia renew fierce rivalry in top-of-the-table clash
One of Africa’s most storied football rivalries takes centre stage again on Saturday as Nigeria and Tunisia lock horns in a high-stakes Group C encounter of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations, at the 35,000-capacity Complexe Sportif de Fès.
Both teams arrive on three points after winning their opening matches, setting up a classic top-of-the-table duel with an early Round of 16 ticket firmly in sight.
With pride, history and momentum on the line, the contest promises intensity, drama and the familiar edge that has defined meetings between the Super Eagles and the Carthage Eagles for more than six decades.
Coaches Eric Chelle and Sami Trabelsi, both former internationals, know the significance of the occasion. Victory would not only strengthen their teams’ qualification prospects but also deliver a psychological statement in one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.
Nigeria and Tunisia have met 21 times since their first encounter 64 years ago, with the rivalry finely balanced. Each side has recorded six victories, while nine matches have ended in draws — some of them resolved only by penalty shootouts. Of the three clashes decided from the spot, Nigeria prevailed twice, including a memorable 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifier and a dramatic AFCON quarter-final in Port Said in 2006.
History between the two nations is rich with controversy. Nigeria walked off the pitch in an AFCON qualifier in Tunis in December 1961 after a disputed goal, while Tunisia staged a similar protest in Kumasi in March 1978 when Nigeria equalised through Baba Otu Mohammed in a bronze-medal match.
Tunisia’s most recent competitive success over Nigeria came four years ago in Cameroon, when a 1–0 Round of 16 victory marked their first competitive win against the Super Eagles since a 1986 World Cup qualifier in 1985.
Trabelsi, who was part of the Tunisian squad that lifted the country’s only AFCON title on home soil in 2004, has an experienced and dangerous squad at his disposal. Captain Ferjani Sassi, Ali Maaloul, Hannibal Mejbri, Dylan Bronn, Ali Ben Romdhane and Yan Valery all featured in the emphatic victory over Uganda in Rabat, underlining Tunisia’s ability to turn games decisively in moments.
Nigeria, however, counter with formidable attacking power. Chelle’s front line is spearheaded by Victor Osimhen, supported by Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze. Osimhen, still searching for his first goal of the tournament, carries a constant threat, having scored 31 goals in 47 appearances for the Super Eagles.
At the back, the pairing of Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi provides defensive stability, while midfield orchestrator Alexander Iwobi, expected to earn his 93rd cap, will be central to Nigeria’s tempo and creativity. Captain Wilfred Ndidi will be tasked with breaking up Tunisia’s fast-paced rhythm.
There have been moments of brilliance, confrontation, walkouts and heartbreak across decades of Nigeria–Tunisia encounters. Saturday’s showdown in Fès is set to add another intense chapter, as Nigeria seeks to cement its status as a genuine title contender and Tunisia, already qualified for next year’s FIFA World Cup, chases a second continental crown.
With history weighing heavily on both sides and qualification momentum at stake, this latest clash of Super Eagles and Carthage Eagles promises to be as compelling as any in their long, dramatic rivalry.
Past Encounters
Date Competition/Venue Result 25 November 1961 AFCON qualifier, Lagos Nigeria 2-1 Tunisia 10 December 1961 AFCON qualifier, Tunis Tunisia 2-2 Nigeria; Match inconclusive as Nigeria walked off the pitch 25 September 1977 World Cup qualifier, Tunis Tunisia 0-0 Nigeria 12 November 1977 World Cup qualifier, Lagos Nigeria 0-1 Tunisia 16 March 1978 AFCON, Kumasi Tunisia 0-2 Nigeria, Match at 1-1 when Tunisia walked off the pitch 29 June 1980 World Cup qualifier, Tunis Tunisia 2-0 Nigeria 12 July 1980 World Cup qualifier, Lagos Nigeria 2-0 Tunisia (2-2 aggregate 4-3 PSO) 29 September 1984 Friendly, Tunis Tunisia 5-0 Nigeria 6 July 1985 World Cup qualifier, Lagos Nigeria 1-0 Tunisia 20 July 1985 World Cup qualifier, Tunis Tunisia 2-0 Nigeria 22 February 1992 SCSA tournament, Tunis Tunisia 1-1 Nigeria 9 August 1997 LG Cup, Tunis Tunisia 2-0 Nigeria 23 January 2000 AFCON, Lagos Nigeria 4-2 Tunisia 11 February 2004 AFCON, Rades Tunisia 1-1 Nigeria (4-3 PSO) 4 February 2006 AFCON, Port Said Tunisia 1-1 Nigeria (5-6 PSO) 20 June 2009 World Cup qualifier, Rades Tunisia 0-0 Nigeria 6 September 2009 World Cup qualifier, Abuja Nigeria 2-2 Tunisia 22 January 2016 CHAN, Kigali Tunisia 1-1 Nigeria 17 July 2019 AFCON, Cairo Nigeria 1-0 Tunisia 13 October 2020 Friendly, St. Veit, Austria Tunisia 1-1 Nigeria 23 January 2022 AFCON: Garoua Tunisia 1-0 Nigeria
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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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