The Super Eagles Secure Afcon Last 16 Place In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Fightback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria establish a commanding lead, but the Super Eagles were forced to hold on for a hard-fought win.
Nigeria survived a stunning late rally from their opponents to progress 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 pool clash in Fes, holding a three-goal cushion with only a quarter of an hour left thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension escalated when Tunisia were awarded a late penalty after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by the Nigerian defender. Ali Abdi converted in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
Tunisia came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity narrowly wide before a substitute sent a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Clinching First Place
This result ensures that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, move to six group points and are assured first place in Group C with a match left to be contested.
For the round of 16, they will meet a best third-place side from one of the other preliminary groups.
Meanwhile, Tunisia remain on three points, with the East African teams locked on a single point after registering a one-all stalemate in the day's other fixture.
The final pool fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on the next matchday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Conclusion
Ali Abdi smashed home from the penalty spot to give Tunisia hope of earning a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next team after Egypt to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and supporters will undoubtedly be breathing a sigh of relief.
What seemed set to be a straightforward final quarter morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of the interval, precisely placing a header into the bottom corner from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was extended early in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to power home a header from a set-piece kick.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the seemingly decisive goal, before the defender to steer a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to initiate the comeback.
The key incident arrived when a high ball hit the forearm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore awarding a penalty after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's successful penalty, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be enough to see them through, and their coach will be eager to prevent a repeat of the 2013 early elimination that led to his departure.
