Nigeria continue their pursuit of a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title when they face Tunisia in a top-of-the-table Group C clash at the ongoing tournament in Morocco.
The Super Eagles opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania, overcoming a below-par display thanks to goals from Semi Ajayi and Ademola Lookman.
While the performance left room for improvement, the result ensured a positive start for Eric Chelle’s side.
Tunisia, meanwhile, made an emphatic statement in their opener with a convincing 3-1 win over Uganda and will be aiming to build momentum with a second successive victory when they meet the three-time African champions.
Historically, the two sides have met six times at the AFCON, with Nigeria holding the advantage after recording three wins to Tunisia’s one, while two encounters ended level in 2004 and 2006, both settled by penalty shoot-outs.
Their most recent meeting came at AFCON 2021 in Cameroon, where Tunisia edged a dramatic round-of-16 tie 1-0 against a ten-man Nigeria side at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua.
Below, Flashscore provides all the essential information ahead of the clash, including broadcast details, referee appointments, and more.
When is the Africa Cup of Nations match?
The match between Nigeria and Tunisia is scheduled for 21:00 (West African Time) on Tuesday, December 27th.
Where can you watch the game on TV?
Channels: SuperSport, AfroSport, NTA, beIN Sports
Nigeria squad
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa Utd), Amas Obasogie(Singida Black Stars), Francis Uzoho(Omonia)
Defenders: Calvin Bassey (Fulham), Semi Ajayi (Hull City), Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City), Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos), Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes), Zaidu Sanusi (Porto), Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers)
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Frank Onyeka (Brentford), Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem), Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio), Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa), Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias)
Forwards: Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla), Akor Adams (Sevilla), Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham), Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray), Moses Simon (Paris FC), Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor), Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos), Salim Fago Lawal (Istra 1961).
Nigeria's possible XI: Nwabali, Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Bassey, Zaidu, Iwobi, Ndidi, Lookman, Adams, Osimhen
Tunisia squad
Goalkeepers: Aymen Dahmen (CS Sfaxien), Bechir Ben Said (ES Tunis), Noureddine Farhati (Stade Tunisien), Sabri Ben Hassen (ES Sahel)
Defenders: Yassine Meriah (ES Tunis), Montassar Talbi (Lorient), Dylan Bronn (Servette), Adem Arous (Kasimpasa), Nader Ghandri (Akhmat Grozny), Mohamed Ben Ali (ES Tunis), Yan Valery (Sheffield Wednesday), Ali Abdi (Nice), Mortadha Ben Ouanes (Kasimpasa), Ali Maaloul (CS Sfaxien)
Midfielders: Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt), Houssem Tka (ES Tunis), Ferjani Sassi (Al-Gharafa SC), Ismael Gharbi (FC Augsburg), Mohamed Belhadj Mahmoud (FC Lugano), Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Al Ahly FC), Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley)
Forwards: Elias Saad (FC Augsburg), Elias Achouri (FC Copenhagen), Sebastian Tounekti (Celtic), Firas Chaouat (Club Africain), Hazem Mastouri (Dinamo Makhachkala), Seifeddine Jaziri (Zamalek SC), Naim Sliti (Al-Shamal SC)
Tunisia's possible XI: Dahmen, Abdi, Talbi, Bronn, Valery, Mejbri, Skhiri, Sassi, Saad, Mastouri, Achouri
Where is the match?
Fez Stadium, Fez
The Stadium is a multi-purpose venue located within the Fez Sports Complex in Fez, Morocco. Primarily used for football matches, the stadium also features athletics facilities. Originally built in 2003, it had an initial capacity of 45,000 spectators.
Fez Stadium will play a significant role in Morocco’s sporting ambitions, having been selected to host matches at both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Following recent renovations, its current seating capacity stands at approximately 35,468, with plans in place to expand the venue to 55,800 seats by 2028.
These upgrades form part of a wider urban regeneration project in Fez, which includes improved transport networks, expanded hotel infrastructure, and enhanced digital connectivity, further positioning the city as a growing hub for international sporting events.
What has been said ahead of the match?
Tunisia coach Sami Trabelsi has praised Nigeria as a very strong side but insists his team have carefully studied the Super Eagles and are ready to capitalise on any weaknesses.
"Yes, in the last game there was no real expression. When we play with only organised offence and defence, it decreases the performance of some players," he told the media.
"Nigeria are strong offensively and defensively. All players will be involved, not only defenders. We focus only on the field; social media or past results will not affect us.
"Hazem (Mastouri) is fit and doing better in training. There is no national team without weak points, and we have studied Nigeria’s. To go far, we must beat big teams."
Meanwhile, Nigeria captain Wilfred Ndidi has voiced the team’s readiness to impress in Morocco, insisting that the Super Eagles are not under pressure despite missing out on the World Cup.
"There is no pressure on us - none at all. We didn’t qualify for the World Cup, but we are ready for this tournament," the Besiktas star said.
"This competition is another opportunity to put things right. The players are ready, the team is ready, the manager is ready, and everyone around the group is fully prepared.
"What we went through during the World Cup qualifiers was painful - exiting in that way hurt. But now we are focused. This tournament gives us a real opportunity to achieve something, and we are determined to make the most of it.
"We know we are here to represent everyone - all Nigerians, wherever they are in the world - and we are grateful for that support," he continued.
"We understand the passion on the other side. We know how football can influence the mood of the nation. When we win, people are happy.
"We are aware of that responsibility because we grew up in that environment. For now, we are focusing only on the positives, because that is the mindset we want to maintain."
