The Super Eagles Secure Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Place In Spite of Late Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team establish a commanding advantage, before the Super Eagles were compelled to hold on for a narrow victory.
Nigeria weathered a stunning late rally from Tunisia to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations being held in the host nation.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be cruising in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, enjoying a three-goal lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
However, Montassar Talbi reduced the deficit with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were given a late penalty after a VAR review spotted a handling offense by the Nigerian defender. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles came agonizingly close from a stunning equalizer in stoppage time, with their skipper directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute sent a half-volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that the Super Eagles, champions of the competition on three previous occasions, advance to six points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with one game still to play.
In the next round, they will face a third-placed side from either the other preliminary groups.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after registering a one-all draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group matches will see the group leaders remain in Fes to play Uganda on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage return to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender drilled the ball from the penalty spot to offer Tunisia a glimmer of hope of snatching a draw.
The Super Eagles, finalists in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to qualify for the next phase, but their manager and fans will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period transformed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
The prolific striker had a goal ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time, precisely placing a header into the far post from an Atalanta winger cross.
The advantage was doubled soon in the second half when the Leicester City midfielder rose highest to thump in a header from a Lookman corner.
Osimhen then turned provider Lookman for the seemingly decisive goal, only for the defender to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to begin the fightback.
The key incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite the defender's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately came up just short of completing a remarkable recovery.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a draw against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be eager to avoid a repeat of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
