Ademola Lookman insisted Nigeria “dominated” their thrilling 3-2 win over Tunisia, despite a nerve jangling finale that saw the Super Eagles nearly throw away a three goal lead. The Atalanta forward was awarded Man of the Match after a stellar performance, bagging a goal and two assists to fire his side into the AFCON knockout stages.
Lookman was the creative spark in a blistering first hour, setting up Victor Osimhen’s crucial opener just before half time and then whipping in the corner for Wilfred Ndidi’s first international goal. He capped his own display by smashing in the third off the post, seemingly putting the result beyond doubt. Yet Tunisia’s two late strikes exposed a familiar fragility in Jose Peseiro’s side, turning a procession into a panic.
“We dominated from the first half to the second half,” Lookman claimed afterwards, perhaps focusing on the hour his side were in control. “They had a spell where they scored two goals, but overall we was very good today. Three points on the board, so it’s a step in the right direction.”
His individual contribution was undeniable. With four goal involvements already at this tournament, two goals and two assists, no player has been directly involved in more. But his post match optimism couldn’t fully mask the concerns that surfaced once Montassar Talbi’s header began the Tunisian fightback. The penalty that made it 3-2, conceded by Bright Samuel, had the Nigerian bench looking anxiously at the clock.
Lookman did pay tribute to the travelling support, recognising their role will be vital if Nigeria are to go deep in Morocco. “Keep supporting us, we really need you,” he urged. “Keep being behind us and pushing us on.”
While the victory seals Nigeria’s place in the last 16 for a 16th consecutive tournament, the manner of it will raise questions. The Super Eagles’ attacking flair, embodied by Lookman and Osimhen, is world class on its day. But their tendency to switch off defensively and nearly capitulate from a position of total dominance makes them look vulnerable against the continent’s shrewdest operators.
They’ve got the points, and they’ve got a match winner in sparkling form. But as the knockouts loom, they’ll need far more than 60 minutes of dominance to truly challenge for the title. The final group game now becomes about building momentum and rediscovering that defensive steel they so clearly lacked in the dying moments in Fes.
