AFCON 2025: Onyeka cautious despite Nigeria’s 3-2 thriller over Tunisia

Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka has issued a stern warning to his teammates, insisting that Nigeria must sharpen their defensive focus after a late lapse nearly cost them victory in their 3-2 win over Tunisia on Saturday in the 2025 AFCON.

The result officially secures Nigeria’s passage to the Round of 16 with a game to spare, but the manner of the finish left the Brentford “Tank” feeling more frustrated than celebratory.

For 70 minutes, Nigeria delivered a clinical performance that looked to have put the game to bed. Victor Osimhen opened the scoring just before the break, followed by a captain’s goal from Wilfred Ndidi and a composed finish by Ademola Lookman to make it 3-0 by the 67th minute.

However, the Carthage Eagles refused to fly away quietly. Montassar Talbi capitalized on a defensive lapse during a 74th-minute set-piece, and Ali Abdi converted an 87th-minute penalty following a Bright Osayi-Samuel handball, setting up a frantic final few minutes.

Onyeka Calls for Set-Piece Discipline At AFCON

Reflecting on the rollercoaster win, Onyeka was candid about the team’s struggles under pressure.

“I was disappointed that the Tunisians got the two goals, especially the penalty and the set-piece,” Onyeka admitted post-match. “These are areas where we need to do better. Overall, I think the performance was good and we tried to follow the coach’s instructions, but we have to be more clinical defensively.”

AFCON: Eyes on the Cranes

Nigeria now turns their attention to their final Group C fixture against Uganda on Tuesday, December 30. While the Super Eagles are already through, Onyeka insists there will be no “taking the foot off the gas.”

“We will go into the final game with Uganda with the same mindset,” he added. “The intensity we showed against Tunisia is exactly what we will bring to the game in Fes.”

The Cranes will head into Tuesday’s clash on the back of a 1-1 draw with Tanzania, knowing they likely need a result against the group leaders to keep their own AFCON dreams alive.