By Ben Ezeamalu, Idrees Ali and Daphne Psaledakis LAGOS, Dec 26 (Reuters) - By publicly cooperating with the United States on a Christmas Day airstrike, Nigeria's government may have averted humiliating unilateral military action threatened a month ago by President Donald Trump.

President Trump said "numerous perfect strikes" had hit Islamic State militants in the West African nation of Nigeria.

President Trump has previously accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from jihadists.

The bombing is the latest in a series of attacks in Nigeria's troubled northern region, where the country is battling multiple armed groups.

Morgan State University professor Dr. Jason Johnson appeared on MS NOW's "The Weekend," where he suggested that the Trump administration's strike on terror targets in Nigeria was racially motivated.

The game will be shown live on UK TV on Channel 4seven from 7.50pm. Fans can live stream the game online via the All4 website and app. Nigeria have no fresh injury worries after their opening win. Tunisia’s Hazem Mastouri came off during their first game but is fit to start once more.