Tunisia defender Montassar Talbi has made it clear that the Carthage Eagles are targeting top spot in Group C at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, as they prepare for a key meeting with Nigeria in Fes on Saturday night, Soccernet.ng reports.
Speaking ahead of the clash at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, Talbi insisted Tunisia’s ambition is to finish first in the group while dismissing claims that his side are favourites against the Super Eagles.
The fixture rekindles a fierce AFCON rivalry, with memories still fresh of Tunisia’s 1–0 victory over Nigeria in the Round of 16 at the 2021 tournament in Cameroon, a result that abruptly ended Nigeria’s campaign despite a perfect group-stage record.
Talbi, who played the full 90 minutes in that encounter four years ago, was asked whether that past success gives Tunisia a psychological edge heading into Saturday’s game.
“I don’t think we are the favourites for tomorrow because Nigeria also did a really big game for the first game, and they are doing well,” Talbi said in the pre-match presser observed by Soccernet.ng.
“I think it will be a really good game. We are confident, we hope to make a good game. Maybe this is the final of the group, and we want to finish first, and hopefully we will do well. It will be a nice fight, but we hope to win.”
Tunisia opened their AFCON 2025 campaign with an emphatic attacking display against Uganda, while Nigeria edged Tanzania in a narrow opening-day victory. With both teams on three points, Saturday’s contest could go a long way in deciding the final group standings.
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‘We want to finish first’ – Tunisia’s Talbi
Talbi also rejected the idea that Tunisia are only now beginning to earn respect on the continental stage, pointing to the team’s consistency at major tournaments in recent years.
“We got our respect for a long time. I think we have achieved a lot recently,” the former Rizespor defender added.
“We have qualified for the last three World Cups, and even at the AFCON, we have done well. They respect us now. But we think we can go bigger, and we can do better. It depends on us, but we will take everything step by step. We are really focused on the next game.”
Nigeria, meanwhile, approach the fixture with a strong sense of purpose. Saturday’s game offers the Super Eagles a chance for revenge following their painful elimination by Tunisia in Garoua in 2021. This defeat remains one of the most sobering moments of Nigeria’s recent AFCON history.
Eric Chelle’s side will also be keen to avoid the familiar complications that often follow slow starts at AFCON finals. Victory in Fes would put Nigeria in a commanding position for qualification to the knockout stages.
Historically, meetings between the two sides have been tight and fiercely contested.
Nigeria have won three of the last ten encounters, including landmark AFCON victories in 2000 and 2006. Tunisia, however, have claimed three wins of their own, with four matches ending in draws, an indication of just how evenly matched the rivalry has been.
The kick-off is scheduled for 9 pm Nigerian time, with both teams aware that the outcome could significantly impact the entire complexion of Group C.