The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot In Spite of Late Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was instrumental in his team establish a commanding advantage, but they were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to advance to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal cushion with just 17 minutes left thanks to goals from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to create a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a last-gasp leveler in stoppage time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance narrowly wide before Ismael Gharbi guided a half-volley wide of the goal frame.
Securing First Place
The victory ensures that Nigeria, winners of the tournament on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are guaranteed first place in their pool with one game left to be contested.
In the next round, they will meet a best third-place side from either the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on 3 points, with the East African teams tied on one point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see Nigeria stay in the city to take on Uganda on the next matchday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to face Tanzania.
A Nervy Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from 12 yards to offer his team hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, runners-up in the previous tournament, become the next nation after Egypt to reach the knockout stage, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a straightforward last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before opening the scoring on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Ademola Lookman delivery.
The lead was doubled soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi climbed above everyone to power home a header from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then set up his teammate for the third goal, before Montassar Talbi to steer a powerful header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the fightback.
The key moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Although the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions ultimately came up just short of pulling off a stirring recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be keen to prevent a recurrence of the 2013 early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
