Nigeria Secure Africa Cup of Nations Knockout Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former African Footballer of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in Nigeria establish a 3-0 advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to defend resolutely for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a dramatic late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
The Super Eagles appeared to be in complete control in their pool encounter in Fes, enjoying a three-goal lead with just 17 minutes remaining thanks to strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a powerful header from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a VAR review identified a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back converted in the dying stages to set up a frantic finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching First Place
The victory means that the Super Eagles, winners of the competition on 3 past instances, move to 6 group points and are assured top spot in their pool with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place team from one of Group A, B or F.
In the other match, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on one point after playing out a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The final group fixtures will see the group leaders remain in the city to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Finish
Ali Abdi smashed the ball from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of earning a point.
Nigeria, finalists in the previous edition, become the second team after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but coach Eric Chelle and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a tense affair.
Victor Osimhen had a effort disallowed for an infringement before opening the scoring right before the interval, precisely placing a glancing effort into the far post from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to direct a header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the comeback.
The pivotal moment arrived when a looping cross hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after reviewing the pitchside screen.
Although the defender's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a remarkable recovery.
Their fate remains in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to see them through, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the 2013 group-stage exit that led to his previous resignation.
