Tunisian defender Yan Valery has offered a candid assessment following the Carthage Eagles’ 3-2 loss to the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The right-back highlighted tactical hesitation and an over-reliance on a cautious approach as the primary factors behind the defeat.
Despite a spirited late-game rally that saw the North Africans score twice, Tunisia ultimately failed to overcome the three-goal deficit established by Nigeria earlier in the match. Valery, speaking during a post-match media session, emphasized that the squad has identified critical defensive lapses that they must address immediately to sustain their tournament ambitions.
The former Southampton man noted that the team failed to match the physical intensity required to neutralize Nigeria’s world-class attacking threats. By yielding too much space and respect to the Super Eagles during the first half, Tunisia allowed their opponents to dictate the tempo and capitalize on loose balls. Valery insists that the squad now understands the cost of passivity against elite opposition and intends to apply these lessons in their final group fixture.
“We had too much respect for Nigeria. I think especially in the first half we weren’t aggressive enough with the first and second balls,” Valery stated in the mixed zone. “And when you do that against good players like these, you get punished right away. So that’s what we learn from this game, and now we need to use that knowledge and respond fast for the next one.”
Tunisia now turns its attention to a decisive encounter against Tanzania this Tuesday, December 30, at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat. With Nigeria already securing a spot in the knockout phase, the Carthage Eagles face a mandatory victory scenario to ensure their own progression to the Round of 16. The technical staff expects a significant shift in mentality as the team seeks to regain its competitive edge and avoid an early exit from the competition.
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