Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman praised the Super Eagles\u2019 performance after being named Man of the Match in a dramatic 3-2 victory over Tunisia<\/a> that sealed Nigeria\u2019s place in the knockout stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations<\/a>, Soccernet.ng reports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Ademola Lookman<\/a> was the standout performer in Saturday\u2019s Group C clash in Morocco, scoring once and providing two assists as Nigeria<\/a> surged into a commanding three-goal lead before surviving a late Tunisian fightback.<\/p>\n The Atalanta<\/a> attacker was central to everything Nigeria did well, inspiring a performance that showed the Super Eagles<\/a>\u2019 attacking quality, and exposed lingering defensive concerns.<\/p>\n Speaking after the match, Lookman described the display as a step forward for Eric Chelle\u2019s side.<\/p>\n \u201cThree points on the board, so it’s a step in the right direction. We dominated from the first half to the second half,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey had a spell where they scored two goals, but overall we were very good today.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Get Our Sports News First \u2013 Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Nigeria were comfortably the better side for much of the contest, imposing themselves with pace, power and precision.<\/p>\n Victor Osimhen<\/a>, Wilfred Ndidi and Lookman all found the net as the Super Eagles raced into a 3-0 advantage, with Lookman directly involved in all three goals.<\/p>\n Osimhen finally ended his seven-game AFCON goal drought in the 44th minute, heading home Lookman\u2019s delivery to give Nigeria a deserved lead at half-time.<\/p>\n Captain Ndidi then doubled the advantage early in the second half, scoring his first-ever international goal, again supplied by Lookman. Lookman, 2024 African Footballer of the Year, added a third to seemingly put the contest beyond doubt.<\/p>\n At that point, Nigeria appeared to be cruising. Instead, a lapse in shape, focus and game management opened the door for Tunisia.<\/p>\n Montassar Talbi headed home in the 74th minute, before Ali Abdi converted a late penalty to make it 3-2 and inject real tension into the closing stages.<\/p>\n Yet Tunisia, a side that qualified for the World Cup without losing or conceding across ten matches, could not complete the comeback. Nigeria held on to secure a memorable win and advance to the AFCON knockout rounds for the 16th consecutive time.<\/p>\n Lookman\u2019s influence has been decisive in the early stages of the tournament. After two group matches, he has registered four goal involvements, two goals and two assists, a tally unmatched by any other player at AFCON 2025. The former Fulham winger scored Nigeria\u2019s winning goal in the 2-1 win over Tanzania<\/a> on matchday one.<\/p>\n Beyond his performance, the winger also acknowledged the importance of supporter backing, urging fans to stay with the team as the tournament intensifies.<\/p>\n \u201cKeep supporting us, we really need you. Keep being behind us and supporting us.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Nigeria will next trade tackles with Uganda on Tuesday with a positive result enough tobseal Group C top spot.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/G9Hsu9uW4AAKbez.jpeg\")
\n
Soccer Nigeria dominant, then vulnerable<\/h2>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/NS-Image-Zoom-Email-Soccernet-3-750x500-1.png\")
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/G873Vu-WAAAcIg7-750x1057.jpeg\")
Soccer Ademola Lookman leads on and off the pitch<\/h2>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_5689-1-750x422.jpeg\")
\n