The Super Eagles Book Afcon Knockout Spot Despite Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 lead, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side seemed to be cruising in their pool clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal cushion with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder set-piece, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The drama intensified when the North Africans were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the dying stages to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a chance narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching Top Spot
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the tournament on 3 previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in Group C with a match still to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place team from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 group points, with the East African teams tied on a single point after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to take on the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to the capital to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed home from 12 yards to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What looked like set to be a straightforward final quarter transformed into a tense conclusion.
The prolific striker had a effort disallowed for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to steer a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the comeback.
The key incident came when a looping cross struck the forearm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's confident conversion, the 2004 champions ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to prevent a recurrence of the past group-stage exit that resulted in his departure.
