Tunisia international midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has asserted that the Carthage Eagles’ dominant opening performance against Uganda has provided the necessary psychological edge for their upcoming confrontation with Nigeria.
The North African side initiated their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with an authoritative 3–1 triumph over the Cranes on Tuesday, signaling their intent to the rest of Group C. Under the guidance of Sami Trabelsi, the Tunisians controlled the tempo of their debut match in Morocco, effectively neutralizing Paul Put’s tactical plan to secure the maximum points.
The victory not only ended a long-standing drought in tournament openers for Tunisia but also positioned them at the summit of the group standings due to a superior goal difference. As the squad transitions their focus toward the Super Eagles, the technical crew remains intent on maintaining the high level of discipline and clinical finishing displayed in their first outing. Hannibal emphasized that starting the competition with a decisive win was a strategic priority for the collective confidence of the roster.
“It was important for us to start with victory. Obviously, it gives us momentum going into the next games,” Hannibal said ahead of the game.
The highly anticipated showdown between the two former continental champions will occur at the Complexe Sportif de Fès this Saturday. Both Nigeria and Tunisia currently possess three points, making this fixture a direct battle for control of the group and a probable ticket to the Round of 16. While the Carthage Eagles currently lead the table, the Super Eagles trail closely in second place after their 2-1 victory over Tanzania earlier this week.
While the primary spotlight remains on the battle between the group favorites, regional neighbors Uganda and Tanzania will simultaneously compete in the other Group C fixture. Both East African sides seek to salvage their respective campaigns after Matchday 1 defeats, adding a layer of regional rivalry to the tournament’s unfolding narrative. For Tunisia, the goal remains clear: harness their current momentum to overcome the West African giants and cement their status as title contenders.
About the Author
