Who: Nigeria vs Tunisia
What: CAF Africa Cup of Nations
Where: Fez Stadium in Fez, Morocco
When: Saturday, December 27, at 9pm (20:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 17:00 GMT in advance of our text commentary stream.

Nigeria were left to rue their inability to convert chances in their opening match, and the former champions can ill afford a repeat when they face a resolute Tunisia side in Saturday’s pivotal clash in Fez.

Tunisia, by contrast, arrive with momentum and pedigree, having already secured qualification for next year’s FIFA World Cup, and underlined their credentials by easing past Uganda to go top of the group on Tuesday.

While Nigeria did well to overcome Tanzania and claim Group C’s second spot, they were wasteful in front of goal on several occasions, with star striker Victor Osimhen failing to impact the game in any meaningful way.

If the three-time AFCON winners are to harbour hopes of beating Tunisia, they will need their Galatasaray forward to step up and rediscover the form that has made him one of the game’s most feared attackers.

Here’s everything you need to know about Nigeria vs Tunisia:

What happened in Nigeria’s first match of AFCON 2025?

Nigeria defeated Tanzania 2-1 in Tuesday’s campaign opener, thanks to a first-half header from defender Semi Ajayi and a second-half strike from attacking midfielder Ademola Lookman.

While the Super Eagles secured all three points, the scoreline flattered Tanzania, with Nigeria wasting several opportunities to extend their lead – margins that often prove decisive in tournament football.

What happened in Tunisia’s first match of AFCON 2025?

Tunisia also recorded a winning start to their AFCON campaign, easing past Uganda 3-1 in Rabat.

Ellyes Skhiri headed in an early opener, and winger Elias Achouri then scored twice on either side of half-time.

The three points surpassed Tunisia’s two-point tally from the AFCON 2023 campaign, in which they suffered a first-round exit.

AFCON Group C standings after opening group matches

After the first round of matches, Tunisia are on top of Group C with three points, above second-placed Nigeria on goal difference. Tanzania are third, while Uganda are bottom, with both teams having no points.

The top two teams from each group, along with the best four third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 16.

When are Nigeria’s and Tunisia’s final group games?

Both teams will finish their group-stage fixtures on Tuesday.

A win for either Tanzania or Uganda in the earlier kickoff on Saturday will set up a tense finale in the group, no matter the outcome of Nigeria’s match against Tunisia.

Group C’s finales:

• Tanzania vs Tunisia (Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, 5pm/16:00 GMT)
• Uganda vs Nigeria (Fez Stadium, 5pm/16:00 GMT)

Who are Nigeria’s key players?

Although star striker Osimhen is Nigeria’s highest-profile player, he was far from his best self in the opening match against Tanzania, misfiring on several occasions.

Right winger Samuel Chukwueze was involved in a lot of playmaking, left winger Alex Iwobi was a standout performer with the most chances, and goal scorer Lookman was also dangerous in attack.

Who are Tunisia’s key players?

Winger Achouri, whose brace led Tunisia to a victory over Uganda, is the team’s star attacking player.

Midfielder Skhiri, who was also among the scorers, and youngster Hannibal Mejbri, who created the most chances, are the other notable Tunisian players.

2 – Against Tanzania in matchday one, Alex Iwobi became just the second Nigerian player on record (since 2010) to provide two assists in a single CAF Africa Cup of Nations game, after John Obi Mikel against Mali in February 2013 (2). Eagle. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025pic.twitter.com/dttWrpl7qh

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 24, 2025

Form guide

All competitions, most recent result last:

Nigeria: W-L-L-W-W

Tunisia: W-W-D-L-D

Head-to-head

Nigeria and Tunisia have met 21 times in total, including competitive and friendly matches.

Tunisia have won seven of those meetings, Nigeria have won six, while eight games ended in a draw.

Their most recent meeting was in January 2022 at the AFCON’s last-16 stage, where Tunisia won 1-0.

AFCON records

Nigeria have played at AFCON 20 times, finishing winners on three occasions – most recently lifting the trophy in 2013 – and runners-up five times. Remarkably, they have finished in the top three in 13 of their last 15 AFCON appearances.

Tunisia have appeared 21 times at the continental championships, emerging winners on their home soil in 2004. They have also finished as runners-up twice. This year’s edition marks Tunisia’s 17th consecutive AFCON appearance.

Nigeria team news

Nigeria’s head coach, Eric Chelle, has no new injury concerns. However, he could make some changes in defence, possibly benching Zaidu Sanusi after his poor performance at left back in the opening match.

Nigeria’s predicted lineup

Stanley Nwabali (goalkeeper); Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi; Samuel Chukwueze, Wilfried Ndidi, Alex Iwobi; Ademola Lookman; Victor Osimhen, Akor Adams

Tunisia team news

Hazem Mastouri’s availability came into doubt after he came off at half-time against Uganda following a series of heavy tackles, but the striker has been deemed fit to face Nigeria.

Tunisia’s predicted lineup

Aymen Dahmen (goalkeeper); Yan Valery, Dylan Bronn, Montassar Talbi, Ali Abdi; Ferjani Sassi, Elyes Skhiri, Hannibal Mejbri; Elias Achouri, Hazem Mastouri, Elias Saad

Who: Egypt vs South Africa
What: CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025
Where: Adrar Stadium in Agadir, Morocco
When: Friday at 4pm (15:00 GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 12:00 GMT in advance of our text commentary stream.

Record Africa Cup of Nations winners Egypt face South Africa on Friday in the first battle of the titans group matchup in the 2025 edition of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) showpiece.

Much of Egypt’s build-up has been overshadowed by the public fallout between their superstar forward Mohamed Salah and his club team, Liverpool, but they remain among the top tier favourites to lift another AFCON crown.

Bafana Bafana had been a rising force on the continent in the late 1990s and early 2000s but until recently had fallen away on the continental and global stage.

Expectations remain high, however, and an early statement could be laid by South Africa if they can beat their opponent from the north coast of the continent.

Al Jazeera Sport takes a closer look at the game:

What is the latest on Salah’s future with Liverpool?

No news appears to be good news if you are a Liverpool fan who hopes one of the most decorated and influential players of the club’s modern era stays at the Premier League champions.

Reds manager Arne Slot said the club have “moved on” from Salah’s outburst when he claimed he had been “thrown under the bus” for his side’s woeful start to their title defence.

Despite the quietening of chatter at Anfield, the overall picture remains that an offer from Saudi Arabia – who have made their interest in Salah known – is highly likely to come in the January transfer window.

The 33-year-old former Chelsea and Roma forward himself is fully focused on helping Egypt win AFCON 2025, according to his international coach Hossam Hassan.

Salah has twice been a Cup of Nations runner-up, in 2017 and 2021, but is yet to add an international honour to his long list of club trophies.

What happened in Egypt’s first match of AFCON 2025?

Salah was on the scoresheet with a late winner for Egypt in their opening match of the tournament against Zimbabwe.

Prince Dube upset the odds in the 20th minute despite early Egyptian dominance. Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush levelled for Egypt in the 64th minute before Salah slotted home the injury-time winner.

What happened in South Africa’s first match of AFCON 2025?

South Africa’s 2-1 victory against near neighbours Angola was the first time they opened an AFCON with a win for 21 years.

Group B has been regarded as the group of death, given Angola’s rise and Zimbabwe’s relative revival, so Lyle Foster’s winner from outside the box looks crucial for Bafana Bafana’s hopes of progress – especially considering the Angolans will be disappointed to have not taken at least a point from the game.

Oswin Appollis had given South Africa the lead, but Show had Angola level by the break.

How do teams qualify for the AFCON 2025 knockout rounds?

The top two teams from the six groups qualify automatically for the round of 16 while the four best third-place finishers will also progress.

What is the situation in Group B?

Egypt and South Africa both have three points to their name, and both have identical goal differences after their opening wins.

Neither Zimbabwe nor Angola are out of the running yet, but a win for either Egypt or South Africa in the second round of fixtures in the group will see the victor progress to the knockout rounds.

A defeat for either Zimbabwe or Angola in their game at Marrakesh Stadium on Monday will see that team all but eliminated.

5 - Mohamed Salah's stoppage time winner against Zimbabwe means he is the first Egyptian to score in five editions of the Africa Cup of Nations. Pharaoh. #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025pic.twitter.com/oFM77DzLtK

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 23, 2025

When are Egypt’s and South Africa’s final group games?

Both teams will complete the group on Monday. A win for either Angola or Zimbabwe in their match on Friday will set up a tense finale in the group, no matter the outcome of Egypt’s match with South Africa.

Group B’s finales:

• Angola vs Egypt (Adrar Stadium, 5pm/16:00 GMT)
• Zimbabwe vs South Africa (Marrakesh Stadium, 5pm/16:00 GMT)

How many times have Egypt won AFCON?

Egypt have won a record seven AFCON titles, but their last success was in 2010. Their first was in the inaugural edition in 1957 when they beat Ethiopia 4-0 in the final. From 2006 to 2010, the Egyptians won three AFCONs in a row.

How many times have South Africa won AFCON?

South Africa have won the tournament only once when they were the hosts in 1996. Bafana Bafana were also finalists in 1998 while they were the bronze medallists at the last AFCON.

What was the most famous meeting between Egypt and South Africa?

South Africa’s defeat in the 1998 AFCON final came at the hands of Egypt.

A 2-0 win sealed what was the Egyptians’ fourth title at the time and denied Bafana Bafana back-to-back successes – an achievement that only Ghana, in 1963 and 1965, had achieved at that time. Egypt and Cameroon have both gone on to successfully defend titles since then.

What happened the last time Egypt played South Africa?

The last meeting between the sides came in the 2018 edition, delayed to 2019, with South Africa’s Thembinkosi Lorch netting the only goal of a tight round of 16 encounter with five minutes left to play.

South Africa were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Nigeria, who themselves were knocked out by the eventual winners, Algeria.

Head-to-head

This is the 10th meeting between the two sides with South Africa winning five of the encounters and Egypt winning on four occasions.

The first matchup didn’t come until 1995 in an international friendly, which Bafana Bafana won 2-0.

The Egyptians had their revenge the following year with a 1-0 win at the 1996 AFCON.

Egypt team news

Coach Hossam Hassan’s only concern is a knock to Mohamed Hamdi. Otherwise, Egypt are expected to be unchanged from the side that beat Zimbabwe.

South Africa team news

Hugo Broos is similarly expected to name the same team that recorded the 2-1 win against Angola. Tshepang Moremi is pushing for a place in the side, however, with Relebohile Mofokeng’s place on the wing most under threat.

Predicted Egyptian starting lineup

Mohamed El-Shenawy; Mohamed Hany, Mohamed Abdelmagid, Hossam Abdelmagid, Mohamed Hamdi; Hamdi Fathi, Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour; Mohamed Salah (captain), Omar Marmoush, Trezeguet

Predicted South African starting lineup

Ronwen Williams (captain); Khuliso Mudau, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Aubrey Modiba; Sphephelo Sithole, Teboho Mokoena; Elias Mokwana, Relebohile Mofokeng, Patrick Maswanganyi; Lyle Foster

Ademola Lookman has secured a 2-1 win for a wasteful Nigeria against Tanzania in Fez, Morocco, in their opening Africa Cup of Nations match.

After the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria coach Eric Chelle would have hoped for more goals given the opportunities his side created on Tuesday.

Star striker Victor Osimhen was among the culprits. He failed to score but could have claimed a hat-trick with better finishing.

Nigerian centre half Semi Ajayi opened the scoring in the first half before Charles M’Mombwa levelled soon after half-time.

However, Atalanta attacker Lookman struck the winning goal shortly after the equaliser to spare Nigeria’s blushes.

The first half followed a predictable pattern with three-time champions Nigeria pressing and Tanzania soaking up the pressure as they sought a first win after three draws and six losses in three previous AFCON appearances.

Tanzania goalkeeper Zuberi Masudi suffered a facial injury after advancing off his line to block a shot by Akor Adams.

From the resultant corner, Sevilla striker Adams came close as his near-post header hit the top of the crossbar.

The East Africans threatened for the first time on 14 minutes with an acrobatic shot from Saimon Msuva comfortably saved by Stanley Nwabali.

As rain began to fall in Fez, Nigerian frustrations surfaced with 2023 African player of the year Osimhen upset after being fouled by Ibrahim Hamad.

Osimhen then became the focal point of the Nigerian attacks, threatening to score twice before another attempt was cleared off the line by Bakari Nondo.

That set piece led to the Super Eagles taking the lead as the ball was played back to Alex Iwobi, whose cross was nodded into the corner of the net by Ajayi for his second international goal.

Samuel Chukwueze had a chance to increase the lead just before half-time, but his close-range shot was tipped over by Masudi.

The opening seven minutes of the second period were dramatic as an Osimhen goal was ruled offside before M’Mombwa equalised on 50 minutes and then 2024 African player of the year Lookman restored Nigeria’s lead two minutes later with a rising shot from just outside the box.

Chelle introduced veteran Moses Simon for Adams in the vain hope of building a wider lead before what is likely to be their toughest Group C match – against Tunisia in Fez on Saturday.

Tanzania squandered a chance to equalise with three minutes of regular time remaining as a Mohamed Hussein cross evaded Nwabali, but substitute Kelvin John failed to connect with the ball.

After facing Tunisia, Nigeria will play Uganda in their final group fixture on December 30.

Tanzania face Uganda on Saturday while they end their group phase with a meeting with Tunisia on December 30.

Group C action continues on Tuesday with Tunisia taking on Uganda in Rabat.