Victor Osimhen: Why Super Eagles Striker Received a Yellow Card After Scoring Against Tunisia

• Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen received a yellow card from referee Boubou Traore against Tunisia at AFCON 2025
• The Galatasaray striker scored a header in the 44th minute against the Carthage Eagles to end his AFCON goal drought
• Two more goals from captain Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman helped Nigeria book a place in the AFCON Round of 16

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2023 CAF Player of the Year Victor Osimhen inspired Nigeria to a 3-2 victory over Tunisia, sealing qualification for the Round of 16 at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

The Super Eagles turned their full attention to the AFCON after missing out on qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following a 4-3 defeat to DR Congo’s Leopards in the playoff final.

On December 27, 2025, Nigeria raced into a commanding 3-0 lead and held firm despite late pressure from Tunisia, who threatened a comeback in the closing stages and added time of the match.

Osimhen opened the scoring in the 44th minute, rising to meet Ademola Lookman’s cross from the left flank to score his first goal of the tournament, after earlier missing two clear headers from Akor Adams’ deliveries.

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The Super Eagles doubled their advantage in the 50th minute when captain Wilfred Ndidi headed home a corner kick from Lookman, who capped an outstanding display by scoring Nigeria’s third goal in the 66th minute, with Osimhen providing the assist, according to the BBC.

Tunisia pulled one back in the 75th minute through FC Lorient defender Montassar Talbi, who headed in Hannibal Mejbri’s free kick, before Ali Abdi converted from the penalty spot in the 89th minute after Bright Osayi-Samuel was penalised for handball following a VAR review.

Why Osimhen was yellow-carded vs Tunisia

Three Super Eagles players, Victor Osimhen, Semi Ajayi and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, were booked during Nigeria’s encounter against Tunisia.

Osimhen ended his seven-game goal drought at the AFCON by scoring against the Carthage Eagles.

However, the Galatasaray forward was shown a yellow card after celebrating by running towards the Tunisian players and technical crew to tease them.

Malian referee Boubou Traore produced the booking despite protests from goalkeeper Nwabali, Frank Onyeka and Bright Osayi-Samuel.

The shot-stopper later received his own yellow card in the 90+6th minute for time-wasting, according to Sofa Score.

Osimhen, Nwabali and Ajayi are now one yellow card away from a one-match suspension.

The last time the Galatasaray striker scored at an AFCON tournament was against Equatorial Guinea in Nigeria’s opening match of the 2023 edition.

Osimhen has now taken his goal tally for Nigeria to 32, leaving him just four goals shy of equalling Rashidi Yekini as the Super Eagles’ all-time leading scorer.

Referee under fire for Nigeria vs Tunisia

Legit.ng earlier reported that Nigerian football expert Toritseju Williams had criticised the referee's decision and the involvement of the Video Assistant Referee after the controversial penalty.

The call has sparked debates about officiating at AFCON 2025 and whether referees and VAR are applying rules consistently, especially in high-stakes matches where Nigeria is involved.

Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.